The Oklahoma City Thunder held the Timberwolves to 88 points in a dominant Game 1 win over the Timberwolves. Soon-to-be MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will draw the headlines with other discussing Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams playing like stars. Nobody will be talking about Cason Wallace and how he swings nearly every game.
The 6’4 guard comes off the bench and disrupts everything. He forms an elite defensive duo with Alex Caruso that allows OKC to take games over. They create turnovers and turn them into easy scorers. Wallace is a sixth starter and allows the Thunder to go small. This helped them dominate the Wolves in Game 1.
Wallace finished with three points and took just three shots in 33 minutes. He did have seven assists, three rebounds, and one steal, but the numbers do not tell the entire story. Wallace creates headaches for the opposition, and OKC was plus-21 with him on the floor in Game 1. The 21-year-old changes the game instantly.
Cason Wallace deserves more love for his play
The tenth overall pick in the 2023 draft makes an impact on both ends. He is an important playmaker and shot-creator on offense and a lockdown perimeter stopper on the other side of the floor. The Thunder are loaded with elite defenders, but Wallace's impact is evident.
The 6’4 guard matched up against eight Timberwolves in Game 1, but only Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert scored on him. Wallace will take on any matchup. He held Ant-Man to three of seven shooting from the field in their three regular-season matchups. Wallace will pressure anyone and never backs down.
He is a plus floor spacer and a key piece for the title favorites. The 21-year-old may come off the bench, but he was tied for the second-most minutes on the team in Game 1. Wallace is a crucial piece of what the Thunder do. They are not the best defense in the NBA without him.
Head coach Mark Daigneault loves Wallace and will keep trusting him in key spots. Expect him to make more key plays in what everyone hopes is a championship run.
Fans might not notice Cason Wallace flipping the game. They see the steals, playmaking, and 3-pointers, but it is easy to miss him cutting off a drive or knocking the ball loose. Wallace is elite on that end of the floor and gives them juice on offense. He is the ideal role player and will keep making a massive impact. Don’t expect people to start showering him with praise, but Wallace deserves more and the best is still yet to come.