Cason Wallace knew how to step up in the pressure-packed matchup against the Cavaliers

The Oklahoma City Thunder were heavy underdogs heading into their Sunday game against the streaking Cleveland Cavaliers. Playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams was a significant blow, especially when playing against a team that was on a seven-game winning streak.

One of the players who stood out was Cason Wallance who stepped up with a double-double of 20 points and 10 assists. Throughout his three-year career, Wallace has kept stepping up for the Thunder, and this was another example of his tremendous ability to step up under pressure.

Wallace knew he had to step up against the Cavaliers

The Thunder no longer have the best win percentage in the league. They still have the most wins with 44 wins, but the Detroit Pistons have a .764 win percentage with their 42-13 record. Of course, the Thunder want to regain their spot at the top, so they want to continue winning games.

Most people outside the Thunder circle thought this would be a routine win for the Cavaliers. The defending champions did not have 2/3 of their star trio, but that did not happen because the Thunder's supporting cast stepped up.

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Wallace was superb because he played awesome defense, but he also stepped up offensively. This was another classic Wallace performance, and he made sure he knew the responsibility he had to shoulder ahead of this game against another contender.

"It felt like we came out hot and we had a little bit of momentum early in the game. I came into the game knowing that I have a high-level opponent that I have to guard, match minutes with him. I gotta slow him (James Harden) down first. Offensively, we got so many guys that are good at making plays," Wallace said about his matchup against Harden and the Cavaliers.

Moving forward, Wallace will continue to be one of the best role players in the Thunder rotation. He is one of the most valuable defenders, but he has also grown defensively. With a guard rotation of him, Jared McCain, and Isaiah Joe behind their star players, they could pull off more surprises in the future.

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