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MINNEAPOLIS — Over the past seven months, the Thunder have established benchmarks, shattered records, and secured 68 victories, effortlessly advancing through the playoffs’ opening round and rising to the occasion in the subsequent round.
They’ve also challenged a longstanding NBA belief that a team’s bench is of little significance during the playoffs.
This notion has persisted for many years, with the sentiment that using eight, nine, or ten players was futile. When the stakes are high, the prevailing opinion has been to minimize the rotation, rely heavily on the starting five, and have the rest cheer from the sidelines.
However, the Thunder’s approach has been quite different, and they’re not about to alter their strategy now, especially as they enter the Western Conference Finals or potentially beyond after securing two more victories.
In fact, the team’s depth is arguably the third most significant factor contributing to their success, following the standout performances of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and their tenacious defense. Oklahoma City is effectively distributing playing time among its players, which has yielded positive results. Coach Mark Daigneault confidently taps into his reserves, unafraid to rely on his substitutes.
For these bench players, the heightened anticipation and atmosphere have proven invigorating rather than intimidating. They’ve consistently exhibited resilience and performance, particularly on the defensive end.
Daigneault places his trust in his bench; otherwise, he wouldn’t risk incorporating less-frequent players into high-stakes playoff situations, where a lapse could be detrimental.
“There’s a benefit to having depth,” Daigneault remarked, a sentiment the Timberwolves are feeling just as the Nuggets did in the earlier round.
Let’s take a look at the talent the Thunder possess beyond their starting five of Shai, Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. Spoiler alert: it’s substantial.
Caruso, who enjoyed success with the Lakers during their 2020 championship run, found himself traded to the Bulls without the same level of expectations or results.
Now, he has reunited with a contender after being sent to the Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey, a playmaker who didn’t share Caruso’s strong defensive credentials that the Thunder valued.
Caruso’s integration into the team was a bit rocky at first. While he was anticipated to receive significant minutes, he averaged just 19 minutes per game, ranking ninth on the squad in playing time throughout the season. He never voiced any discontent, embraced his role, and awaited his opportunity. That opportunity has arrived.
This is precisely why the Thunder coveted Caruso — for his championship experience and tenacity on defense. He now frequently emerges as the first guard off the bench, and his worth truly escalated during the semifinals, where he was tasked with defending the formidable Nikola Jokić.
Although Caruso faced a size and weight disadvantage against the three-time Kia MVP, he held his ground, challenging Jokić’s dribble with admirable resolve.
Additionally, Caruso has been delivering from beyond the arc, shooting 44% in the playoffs, thus adding balance to both ends of the court.
His performance has been critical in pivotal playoff victories — specifically in Games 2 and 4 against the Nuggets. These wins were significant as they allowed the Thunder to level the second-round series after initially falling behind 1-0 and 2-1.
Meanwhile, Wiggins has stepped up his game, contributing like a starter with 10 points in 15 minutes during Game 2 and 11 points in 16 minutes in Game 4. He provided crucial offensive support in Game 4 while Williams struggled to find his rhythm.
Wiggins is effective on both ends and could start for most teams in the NBA. However, in this system, he averages 15-20 minutes and has been efficient during his time on the floor.
Similarly, Wallace’s contributions are valuable when the Thunder opts for a small-ball lineup. As a skilled ball handler, he capitalizes on any defensive lapses by opposing teams.
Wallace made an impact when Dort was struggling offensively, scoring 11 points off the bench in a Game 5 win over Denver and dishing out five assists in Game 7. His 38% shooting from three-point range against the Nuggets lessened the burden of Dort’s missed shots.
Though his role has been somewhat limited in the playoffs, it remains critical, particularly as a secondary defender against Jokić. Williams demonstrated resilience, using his strength to challenge the Nuggets’ center even while giving up three inches in height.
Williams did not see action in the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, largely due to the less offensive threat posed by Wolves’ center Rudy Gobert.
Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, a two-time NBA champion, has praised this backup guard, drawing a parallel to the renowned Pistons’ championship backcourt.
This namesake is still pursuing his first championship, and in his current role, he may very well achieve it next month. One of his most impactful moments in the playoffs occurred in Game 1 against the Wolves, where he scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds in just 13 minutes, outshining every point guard on Minnesota’s roster that night.
It raised eyebrows when Daigneault called on Williams in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, considering he had only logged a total of 38 minutes across the first two rounds.
Nevertheless, Williams stepped in seamlessly, contributing eight points and three rebounds in 10 minutes during a closely contested game. Daigneault noted that Williams embodied the spirit of the reserves by accepting his role, supporting his teammates, and remaining ready to contribute when called upon.
If the Thunder aren’t already receiving ample production from their newly crowned Kia MVP and starting lineup, they are unleashing their bench against the Wolves, and the results have remained consistently strong.
Oklahoma City is decisively winning the bench battle in this series, which is a crucial factor in their 2-0 series lead, placing the pressure squarely on the Wolves ahead of Game 3 on Saturday (8:30 ET, ABC).
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Shaun Powell has reported on the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email, browse his archive, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed in this piece are not necessarily those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
