Wallace tallied 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes during Sunday's 103-91 win over the Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Wallace scored in double figures Sunday to help the Thunder clinch the title. The 21-year-old started the first three games of the NBA Finals against the Pacers but came off the bench in the Thunder's other 20 postseason contests. In his second NBA season, Wallace showed improvement across the board, with his counting stats up from his rookie year. He averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 27.6 minutes per game over 68 regular-season appearances, including 43 starts.
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Thunder's Cason Wallace: Emerges with 11 points in win
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Wallace supplied 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-4 3Pt), two rebounds, one block and four steals over 17 minutes during Monday's 120-109 win over the Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Wallace notched his third double-digit scoring performance of the postseason in the decisive win. Wallace carved out a larger role with the Thunder during his second season, but his playoff contributions have been minimal. The Kentucky product managed his best total of the series despite logging a series-low 17 minutes on the court. Wallace also recorded a postseason-high four steals during the victory.
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Thunder's Cason Wallace: Back to bench role
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Wallace will come off the bench Friday during Game 4, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Wallace was a starter for the first three games of the NBA Finals. In Game 4, the Thunder will go with more size in the starting lineup, with Isaiah Hartenstein getting the nod. In 16 games in a reserve role during this postseason, Wallace has averaged 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from deep.
Thunder's Cason Wallace: Modest effort in spot start
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Wallace posted six points (3-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 33 minutes during Thursday's 111-110 loss to the Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Wallace moved into the starting lineup for Game 1, replacing Isaiah Hartenstein, who moved to the bench. This move was based purely on the matchup, with the coaching staff opting to go small to counter the Pacers' interchangeable lineup. Despite the promotion, Wallace wasn't particularly impactful on the stat sheet. It remains to be seen whether he will remain in the starting lineup for Game 2 on Sunday.
Thunder's Cason Wallace: Promoted to starting five
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Wallace is in the starting lineup for Thursday's Game 1 against the Pacers, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Wallace wasn't overly impressive in his team's last series against the Timberwolves, averaging 5.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 25.8 minutes (five appearances) off the bench, but the Thunder will elect to roll out a smaller lineup in the first matchup of the NBA Finals. Isaiah Hartenstein will come off the bench as a result of the lineup shift.
Wallace accumulated three points (1-3 FG, 1-3 3Pt), three rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 33 minutes during Tuesday's 114-88 victory over Minnesota in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
If Game 1 was any indication, the Thunder could use a lot of small-ball lineups during this series to counter Minnesota. While Wallace took only three shots, his fingerprints were all over this win with some head-turning playmaking. He could potentially be more involved going forward, especially with Luguentz Dort struggling with his shot.
Wallace recorded 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-3 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists and two steals over 23 minutes during Sunday's 92-87 win over the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
For the first time this postseason, Wallace reached double-digit points as the Thunder leaned on their second unit a bit more with several of their key players struggling to generate much offense. Wallace, Aaron Wiggins and Alex Caruso combined to score 32 points, while Denver's entire bench scored a total of eight points. Through eight postseason games, Wallace holds averages of 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 three-pointers in 19.8 minutes.
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Thunder's Cason Wallace: Productive off bench in Game 3 win
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Wallace racked up five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 24 minutes during Thursday's 114-108 win over the Grizzlies in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Wallace didn't produce gaudy stats Thursday but was effective in multiple facets of a major comeback win. Through the first three games of the series, he's averaging 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.3 minutes per night. The 21-year-old isn't relied on as a high-volume scorer, but Wallace can provide quality bench minutes for the Thunder through their postseason run.
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Thunder's Cason Wallace: Limited run in Game 1
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Wallace (shoulder) finished with two points (1-1 FG), three assists, two rebounds and one steal across 13 minutes Sunday in the Thunder's 131-80 win over the Grizzlies in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.
Wallace had missed Oklahoma City's final three games of the regular season due to a right shoulder strain, but his absences were likely precautionary with the Thunder having clinched the NBA's top record. The second-year guard was cleared to play ahead of the postseason opener, but he saw light minutes due to a combination of foul trouble and the Grizzlies' inability to keep the game competitive. He racked up four fouls in his 13 minutes and checked out of the contest for good with 2:15 left in the third quarter, when the Thunder had built a 51-point lead. Wallace should be in line for more playing time in Game 2 on Tuesday.
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Thunder's Cason Wallace: Off injury report
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Wallace (shoulder) is available Sunday for Game 1 of the Thunder's first-round playoff series versus the Grizzlies.
Wallace didn't play in the final three games of the regular season due to a right shoulder strain, but he likely would have been available if the Thunder hadn't already clinched the NBA's top record. The second-year guard finished the regular season with averages of 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in 27.6 minutes per game across 68 appearances (43 starts).
Thunder's Cason Wallace: Expected to play in postseason
Rotowire
Wallace (shoulder) is expected to play in the postseason.
Wallace missed the final three regular-season games, but his absences were likely precautionary, as the Thunder already had the No. 1 seed locked up. Across 68 regular-season appearances (43 starts), Wallace averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 27.6 minutes per game.
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Thunder's Cason Wallace: Not playing vs. New Orleans
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Wallace (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Just like it happened Friday against the Jazz, the Thunder will rest most of their regular rotation members for this regular-season finale after securing the top seed in the Western Conference and the best record in the league. Wallace has been a key player off the bench for the Thunder this season, and he's also responded when called upon to duty in a starting role. He ends the season with averages of 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game while starting in 43 of his 68 appearances.
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Thunder's Cason Wallace: Ruled out for Friday
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Wallace (shoulder) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Wallace will miss a second straight game Friday due to a right shoulder strain. Oklahoma City will likely lean on Isaiah Joe to pick up the slack, along with Aaron Wiggins.
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