Through the first two games of the Western Conference finals, 32-year-old reserve guard Alex Caruso has emerged as the unexpected catalyst for the Oklahoma City Thunder, outshining an already star-studded roster that features a two-time MVP guard, an All-Star center and an All-NBA wing.
Caruso has rotated onto Victor Wembanyama defensively—one year after spending playoff minutes on Nikola Jokić—and has shown equal fearlessness on the other end. He is averaging 24.0 points and is 11-for-18 from three-point range, ranking third among all scorers in the series, behind only the two clubs’ MVP finalists.
“He’s got an unbelievable focus and is a monster competitor,” head coach Mark Daigneault said. “The bigger the moment, the more he wants to compete. He’ll fail and not blink, then be aggressive the next possession.”
With Jalen Williams limited by injuries and both Ajay Mitchell and Chet Holmgren still searching for rhythm, Caruso’s production has been critical. His ability to defend bigger players allows Daigneault to add extra guards for shooting and ball-handling while the offense tries to navigate San Antonio’s length.
“His leadership is through the roof, especially on defense,” forward Luguentz Dort noted. “He communicates a lot, knows opponents’ plays and the tricks we need to get stops.”
Gilgeous-Alexander rebounds in Game 2
After a subdued opener, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an MVP-caliber Game 2, refusing to let Stephon Castle’s physical defense dictate terms. “I guess I just have sucked when I get too long of a break,” he said. “We had no choice but to play to our strengths—or else.”
McCain’s energy outweighs shooting woes
Rookie guard Jared McCain shot just 4-for-14 in Game 2 yet finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes, his hustle drawing praise from teammates. “The first week or two he was here felt like he’d been here the whole season,” Dort said. Caruso added that McCain’s nonstop movement is already “manipulating the defense.”
Culture of accountability
Oklahoma City’s depth has thrived on precise roles and collective responsibility. Guard Cason Wallace, the No. 10 pick in 2023, averages fewer points than 20 classmates yet logs pivotal minutes. “Honestly, you just go out there and be who you are,” Wallace said. “When it’s your night, great. When it’s somebody else’s, we cheer them on.”
Holmgren echoed the sentiment: “There’s a collective understanding of where the bar is. Nobody’s perfect, but if somebody sees you drifting, we’re going to pull you back in.”
With Williams listed day-to-day because of a hamstring issue and Mitchell nursing a separate scare, Caruso’s workload is unlikely to ease as the series shifts to San Antonio for Game 3.
Source: Hoops Rumors
