The Oklahoma City Thunder knew exactly what they were getting once the team finalized their trade for Alex Caruso last offseason. He showed exactly what the Thunder paid for during their impressive comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The box score won’t do him enough justice, as Caruso finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four steals, and a block, but the game footage does. Caruso made his presence known against the Thunder on the defensive side of the ball, fueling Oklahoma City’s comeback. Sports Radar’s Todd Whitehead revealed even more details that demonstrate Caruso’s role in their comeback.
Per Whitehead, “Alex Caruso played 12:34 of the second half last night during which time the Grizzlies had 35 chances to score, and they came away with 13 points. He guarded seven different players, collecting four steals and three deflections and generally just caused havoc everywhere.”
Memphis scored 31 points total in the second half. Ja Morant’s second-half absence factored into that, but Caruso’s elite defense ensured that Memphis’ lead would only dwindle as more time passed.
Caruso’s reputation preceded him in Oklahoma City. Not only has he made two All-Defense teams, but he’s also an NBA champion, having helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the title in 2020. It’s why the Thunder gave Caruso a four-year extension worth $81 million after this season.
The Thunder already have plenty of scoring, but what makes them a contender is how tough it is for opponents to score on them. Caruso isn’t single-handedly responsible for that, but his instincts and IQ make their defense one that can’t be busted down.
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