The Oklahoma City Thunder are sticking with the same starting lineup they used in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Prior to the series opener against the Indiana Pacers, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault made the surprising decision to bench starting center Isaiah Hartenstein and replace him in the opening group with backup guard Cason Wallace.

After sticking with the double-big lineup for the first three rounds, Mark Daigneault adjusted his starters before Game 1 was even played against the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder went with Cason Wallace over Isaiah Hartenstein.

To launch the biggest series of his life, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault did something that many fans assumed he’d be too stringent to.