What happened: Nickeil Alexander-Walker heads to the bench for Lu Dort on the first substitution, positioning him to check back in before the quarter ends. Addressing the split workload Wednesday, Alexander-Walker praised Dort's impact on a night Dort attempted only three or four shots.

Why it matters: Pulling a starter early lets the staff stagger perimeter combinations and keep a primary defender on the court alongside reserve units. Breaking the half into three shorter bursts also limits continuous fatigue while maintaining lineup continuity at the end of quarters.

What to watch: Monitor whether the three-stint half cadence stays in place as the regular-season rotation settles.