Where would the Thunder be in this series without Alex Caruso?
If not for Victor Wembanyama’s generational 41-point, 27-rebound performance in the Spurs’ double-overtime win, Game 1 of this series would be considered the “Alex Caruso Game” for the 30 points he dropped off the bench in addition to his typical tenacious defense.
Caruso picked up right where he left off in Game 2. It was perhaps more surprising that his 17 points led all Oklahoma City scorers not named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander than it was that Caruso, not the two-time reigning MVP, had the Thunder’s best plus-minus score. In a game they won by nine, the Thunder outscored the Spurs by 18 with Caruso on the court.
A big part of that is the fearless 31-year-old is not shy about going right at Wembanyama’s imposing force on either end of the court, hounding the 7-foot-4 Spurs center on defense and even driving at him on offense. A pivotal moment happened near the end of the first quarter as Caruso went right at Wembanyama in the paint and drew a foolish foul from the 22-year-old, sending Caruso to the foul line after what would be his only miss from inside the arc.
Caruso’s fearlessness and ferocious defense make him the type of player you’d love to have on your team and hate to see playing for your opponent. Expect a very icy reception for the two-time NBA champion tonight in San Antonio.
