Cason Wallace Steps Into Starting Role Amid Oklahoma City Thunder’s Strong Season Start

Cason Wallace, the 21-year-old shooting guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, is set to enter the starting lineup for the team’s game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. This move comes as Isaiah Joe is sidelined due to a calf injury. Wallace will be making his seventh start of the season, following a pattern where he has averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.7 assists across 27.2 minutes per game in his previous starts.

Despite the Thunder’s impressive 11-3 start to the season, Wallace has been experiencing the worst shooting slump of his career. His three-point shooting has dipped to 25.0% this season, down from 41.9% in his rookie year, and his overall field goal percentage has dropped from 49.1% to 39.6%. However, his defensive contributions remain strong, with an average of 1.7 steals per game and a defensive box plus-minus of +2.6 in 25.1 minutes per game.

Wallace’s impact on the game extends beyond his shooting. He has shown flashes of his shooting potential, such as in the Thunder’s win against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 1, where he went 3-of-5 from deep and shot 71.4% from the field. The upcoming five-day break without games could provide Wallace with an opportunity to work on his shooting with coach Chip Engelland, potentially turning his season around.

The Thunder’s depth and resilience, highlighted by players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Alex Caruso, have helped the team navigate through early-season injuries. With the impending return of Isaiah Hartenstein, Wallace may see more scoring opportunities thanks to additional off-ball screens.