Leading the fastbreak, Cason Wallace was rewarded for thinking ahead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander threw a cross-court pass to him as he went up for the jam. He spun around as he hung on the rim to celebrate the transition dunk as they piled on the scoreboard.

With the Thunder 's starting five at full strength for the first time this season, Wallace will slide to the second unit against San Antonio. Over his last five outings, the 22-year-old guard has averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.4 assists in 23.2 minutes per contest.

OKC also boasts the top NET Rating in the NBA, the No. 2 turnover percentage and the No. 2 assist to turnover ratio. In addition to the other talented defenders on OKC's roster, one player has been a key to the team's efforts on that end of the court.

In the competitive landscape of the NBA, defensive prowess can often be the difference between victory and defeat. Cason Wallace, a guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has emerged as a standout defensive player,

Thunder head coach Mark Daignault didn't offer much of an update on Wallace's health postgame, but mentioned that the young guard will be checked out Thursday. Wallace logged nine points (4-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four rebounds, two assists and four steals across 19 minutes. His next chance to play will come Saturday.

With Isaiah Hartenstein’s calf strain coming right as Jalen Williams made his season debut in late November, the Thunder will get their first chance to see those two on the floo