Only two players spoke together during the OKC Thunder’s postgame press conference Monday.
It wasn’t Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s Most Valuable Player. It wasn’t Chet Holmgren, a larger-than-life 7-footer. And it certainly wasn’t Jalen Williams, who’d just scored 40 points to lead his team to a 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
It was Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins, who happily took turns answering questions with the same synchronicity they showcase on the court.
Sharing the spotlight is never an issue. It’s what has allowed OKC to receive huge performances from a rotation of role players all season, and Game 5 was no different. Wallace and Wiggins scored a combined 25 points off the bench to help the Thunder claim a 3-2 series lead.
“It’s awesome,” Wiggins said when asked about playing for OKC. “Just a fun experience every night. … One through 18, every single guy enjoys being a part of this group.”
OKC’s star trio has naturally received a bulk of the recognition for this Finals run.
Much like the diamond chains he wears in nearly every postgame interview, Gilgeous-Alexander has been molded by pressure these playoffs. He has scored the most points ever by a point guard in a single postseason (638).
Williams has also shined on the biggest stage of his young career. The All-NBA forward just scored 40 points in a Finals game, making him the first player to do so within his first three seasons since Dwyane Wade in 2006.
Even Holmgren has reached new heights — which is saying something — with his two-way tormenting of the Pacers. He has recorded a plus-minus of plus-7 this series, which ranks first among all players on both teams.
OKC’s current Big Three has drawn plenty of comparisons to the famed former trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. But head coach Mark Daigneault isn’t focused solely on the success of his stars.
“We don’t look at it like that in terms of second guy, first guy, third guy, anything like that,” Daigneault said. “We’re just trying to help every guy grow and improve and tackle the next thing in front of them. … When you do that, and when the guys commit to that, they improve.”
The results speak for themselves.
OKC has done more than build a Big Three. It has built a big-time supporting cast of contributors, each with their own success story.
Lu Dort went from going undrafted in 2019 to earning an All-Defensive first team selection this season. Wiggins went from a two-way player in 2021 to a source of buckets off the bench.
Isaiah Joe also went from getting waived by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022 to one of OKC’s top sharpshooters. And Jaylin Williams went from a second-round pick in 2022 to a beloved backup big man.
“I think it’s been good,” Wiggins said of OKC’s culture. “It allows everybody to have that certain sense of trust from (Daigneault) and our coaching staff. He allows guys to go out there and play free. If you get going, it opens the game up for you as an individual and for our team. His trust and his confidence in the guys is huge for us.”
Wallace and Wiggins were the ones who got going for OKC on Monday.
The Thunder only made three 3-pointers as a team in Game 4, but Wiggins surpassed that total on his own. He went 4 for 7 from deep (57.1%) to finish with 14 points in 22 minutes.
Wallace also racked up 11 points and four steals in 17 minutes. The sophomore guard came off the bench after starting the first three games of the series, but that change didn’t alter his approach.
“(Daigneault) is going to put us in the best position to win games,” Wallace said. “I can’t be selfish. If it’s a better look or option for us, let’s go with that. My job is to go out there and play as hard as I can every time I’m on the court (and) cheer on my teammates. I’m going to just keep doing that.”
Game 5 belonged to Wallace and Wiggins. But Game 6, which is set for 7:30 p.m. CT Thursday in Indianapolis, could belong to another member of OKC’s supporting cast.
It could be Alex Caruso, a self-proclaimed “Robin” who’s happy to throw on a superhero cape when needed. Or it could be Kenrich Williams, whose superpower is his “invisible work” as a veteran leader.
OKC isn’t picky. Its players are more than happy to share the success, or even the podium.
“That’s the culture of our whole team,” Jalen Williams said. “Everybody is ready to do whatever it takes to win. … Everybody is really selfless and is willing to plug away at something for the better of the team. It kind of trickles down from everybody.”
Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @JTheSportsDude. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.