When a team dominates the game and still loses despite a 15-point lead, questions are bound to come, especially after the star guard, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, also performed with 38 points in Game 1. The questions were aimed at Mark Daigneault and his strategy that led the Pacers to make a comeback. But the Thunder coach made sure to respond as the team won game 2 convincingly, 123-107. So, did the HC make the changes that he was questioned about previously?

Before the tip of game 1, he made a considerable change in the lineup. He benched his big man, Isaiah Hartenstein, in favor of Cason Wallace. The scrutiny got even louder as he removed Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein and opted for a smaller team in the dying minutes. The team lacked rim protection and contributed to the Pacers’ win. However, the 40-year-old coach remained composed, brushing off concerns about the decision during the game 1 post-conference.

“We’ve been pretty fluid with the lineup throughout the course of the season,” he said. “That’s why we do it during the regular season, so that it’s not Earth-shattering when we do it.” As for Isaiah Hartenstein, he took the high road, adding, “I am here to do whatever is best for the team. I trust Mark.” But in the game two victory, his Bigs contribution made a huge impact on Daigneault.

“They were both really good (Chet Holmgren and Isaiah)— in both situations, I thought they gave us a huge lift on both ends of the floor. One area where we really improved tonight was our pick-and-roll coverage against their bigs. They give you a different look with the rolling, the popping, and just how they play overall.” He further added in the post-game conference, “I thought we made real strides defensively in that part of the game. Both Chet and Isaiah were great. Chet, in particular, after a tough offensive night in Game 1, bounced back the way he always does. He rose to the occasion and was really, really good tonight.”

The difference in what Chet Holmgren & Isaiah Hartenstein created on the court was also visible on the stat sheet. The Thunder outscored the Pacers 11-7 in five minutes, with Holmgren/Hartenstein sharing the floor. At least one of those two was on the floor for the entire game until 2:42 left in the fourth quarter, when the Thunder were up 17.

How Chet Holmgren really made the difference in game 2 after a lackluster opening game

Thunder and the Pacers both relied on their bench strength to make it to the Finals. Yet with SGA’s 38 points in the first game, it wasn’t enough for the home team at Paycom Center to turn it into a win. Holmgren and Hartenstein combined for a total of 15 minutes in 24 and 17 minutes of action, respectively. That even led to Shaquille O’Neal discrediting the 23-year-old for his performance.

The 4x NBA Champion said, “Chet had a horrible game. Two for nine for six points. But listen, Indiana, they definitely stole one. And nobody expected this.” Chet Holmgren’s stat line—6 points, 6 rebounds, 2-of-9 shooting—justified the response from the 53-year-old. But the course correction was immediate in game 2. In 28 minutes of action, Holmgren finished with 15 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a block. He shot 6-of-11 from the field, including 1-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. More importantly, his efforts were instrumental in the first quarter.

He was the game’s leading scorer with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting as Oklahoma City led by six points after one quarter. But his performance with 30 blocks and 25 shots from beyond the arc in the playoffs made him part of an elite list. So, Mark Daigneault did test the waters to begin a series, but if it’s not working, he adjusts quickly. That game 2 win is a result of that strategy change.