Thunder Takeaways: Wallace Shines, McCain Debuts in Gritty Loss to Rockets
Even without their stars, the Thunder didn’t go quietly.
Missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City still pushed the Rockets to the wire in a tightly contested game. But for a team that usually wins the margins-free throws and turnover battles-this one felt off.
The Thunder shot just 64.3% from the line and were outscored handily in points off turnovers, two categories that are normally their bread and butter. Against a hungry Houston squad, that was enough to tilt the balance.
But even in the loss, there were silver linings. And none brighter than Cason Wallace.
The second-year guard delivered his most complete game of the season, dropping 23 points on an efficient 10-of-16 from the field, while adding four rebounds, four assists, and four steals. But it wasn’t just the stat line that stood out-it was how he got there.
Wallace has typically been more comfortable off the ball, relying on cuts and catch-and-shoot opportunities. But against Houston, he showed a different gear. He attacked the rim with purpose, finishing through contact and creating space off the dribble-areas of his game that have needed polish.
One possession in particular stood out: Wallace isolated Dorian Finney-Smith, used a quick first step to get around him, and finished at the rim despite the contest. Later, he faced up Alperen Sengun, gave him a pair of crossovers, and calmly knocked down a pull-up jumper. These aren’t just highlight plays-they’re signs of growth.
That’s huge for a Thunder team that, in last year’s playoffs, struggled when defenses keyed in on Shai and dared the supporting cast to create. Too often, the possessions stalled with kick-outs and resets. If Wallace can consistently punish mismatches and generate offense off the bounce, that’s a game-changer for OKC’s postseason ceiling.
On the other side, Houston got a big-time performance from Tari Eason, who poured in 26 points and made his presence felt all over the floor. His corner shooting gave the Rockets’ offense a much-needed jolt, and he was active on both ends. Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in with clutch rebounds and knocked down nine free throws, while Kevin Durant-ever the veteran-handled double teams with poise, finding open teammates and keeping the offense moving.
But this night was as much about the Thunder’s future as it was about the present.
Jared McCain, acquired at the trade deadline, made his Thunder debut. The rookie didn’t force much-understandably so-but showed flashes of what he can bring.
He looked a bit tentative early, clearly trying to find his footing in a new system, but there were encouraging signs. In the second quarter, he came off an Isaiah Hartenstein screen and drilled a pull-up jumper-exactly the kind of shot OKC will want him taking as he settles in.
McCain’s shooting and scoring instincts are real. Once he gets comfortable, his presence off the bench could give the Thunder a much-needed scoring punch in second units.
So yes, it was a loss. But between Wallace’s breakout and McCain’s first steps in a Thunder uniform, Oklahoma City walked away with more than just a box score. They saw glimpses of what could be-and that’s worth keeping an eye on.