NBA legend Charles Barkley praised Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault for his decision to start two big men, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, in Game 4.
NBA legend Charles Barkley had high praise for Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault following the team’s 111–104 Game 4 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Barkley credited Daigneault for making a key adjustment to the starting lineup, calling it a game-changing decision. For the first time in the series, the Thunder started two big men — Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
"You have to give the coach a lot of credit... It's hard to admit you're wrong," Barkley said during the NBA TV postgame show.
Daigneault had started Holmgren at center for the first three games, but Barkley noted that the young big man struggled to make an impact in that role.
"That decision impacted the points in the paint, offensive rebounds," Barkley explained. "They were playing that small lineup, Chet was playing against a bigger guy and he was not getting there."
The adjustment paid off, helping the Thunder dominate the paint and grab a pivotal road win to tie the series 2–2.
Game 5 will be played Tuesday night in Oklahoma City, with the Thunder now holding the chance to take their first lead of the series.
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