Injuries loom as the Thunder face the Knicks. Will Robinson dominate the boards, Wallace contain Brunson, and three-pointers fly?
The Thunder travels to face the Knicks at 6 p.m. Central on ESPN. Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell are out for Oklahoma City, while New York is missing Miles McBride.
Check out three key matchups to monitor for this potential NBA Finals preview.
Mitchell Robinson’s Impact
Robinson only logs around 15 to 20 minutes per game, but he makes the most of his limited playing time. The veteran is currently averaging 8.3 offensive rebounds per 75 possessions, which would top Steven Adams’ 2025 season for the highest rate in NBA history among qualified players. Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams must do their best to box out Robinson on every possession. Oklahoma City may have to send two bodies in his direction to get the job done.
Robinson is also New York’s best rim protector. Holmgren and Williams knocking down triples would pull him away from the hoop and open up more space for the Thunder’s drivers.
Finally, he adds another dimension to the Knicks’ offense as a lob threat. But it will be tough sledding against an Oklahoma City defense that surrenders the lowest field goal percentage in the restricted area across the NBA.
Cason Wallace vs. Jalen Brunson
Although Luguentz Dort typically guards the best perimeter scorer, Brunson is too small and quick for him. It’s a bad matchup for Dort.
However, Wallace excels at staying in front of speedy guards who can change directions in an instant. Since Wallace entered the league, he has defended Brunson for 67 possessions and held the Knicks’ point guard to 20.1 points per 75 possessions on abysmal 51% true shooting. That’s as good as it gets against a superstar scorer like Brunson.
If Brunson is held to a poor scoring night relative to his lofty standards, then it will be difficult for New York to win his minutes given Brunson’s weak defense.
3-Point Shooting
43.9% of total field goal attempts against the Thunder’s defense have come from beyond the arc, which is the sixth-highest rate according to NBA.com. The Knicks’ defense also allows the fifth-highest three-point attempt rate, so both squads give up plenty of triples.
Isaiah Joe and Jared McCain have combined to shoot 49.1% from deep on 11.4 attempts per game since the Feb. 5 trade deadline. They can swing stretches in this matchup by knocking down jumpers. Lineups with this duo and Isaiah Hartenstein are especially intriguing.