Alex Caruso Continues to Prove Importance in Big Games for OKC Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have notched a few impressive wins recently.

Despite failing to reach the regular season wins record or even matching the team's 2024-25 total, OKC still holds the best record in the Western Conference and the most wins in the NBA. Mark Daigneault's team has remained the No. 1 seed in spite of injuries to multiple key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Ajay Mitchell and others.

To keep the top spot in the West, Oklahoma City has had to fend off the San Antonio Spurs, who are just three games back of the Thunder as of March 3. The Thunder have picked up multiple marquee wins recently, with veteran wing Alex Caruso contributing significantly in each.

While Caruso, a two-time champion and All-Defense honoree, doesn't play regularly until the postseason, the 32-year-old has made his appearances count since a lackluster showing against San Antonio earlier in the season.

On Jan. 13, Caruso finished with 13 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, a steal and zero turnovers while shooting 5-of-8 from the field, 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and 3-of-4 from the free throw line to help OKC take down the Spurs for the first time this season.

Since then, Caruso has poured in more solid big-game performances, including: 17 points in a road win against the Lakers, 16 points in a win at Toronto and 12 points in a victory against the Nuggets.

Caruso's run is similar to 2024-25, when he played sporadically throughout the regular season before becoming a vital piece of the Thunder's title run. The former Lakers and Bulls' standout scored 20 points in a pair of OKC wins during the 2025 NBA Finals.

Additionally, Caruso's defensive impact throughout the playoffs was immeasurable, especially in Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets.

The veteran wing is averaging 6.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.3 steals per game right now, but will likely see those numbers take an uptick during the postseason.

For OKC to become the NBA's first repeat champions in 8 years, Caruso will need to have another impactful playoff run.

While the 32-year-old won't be the star for Oklahoma City in every playoff game, he has shown the ability to make crucial defense and hustle plays down the stretch, in addition to hitting timely triples.

Caruso's recent stretch should be an encouraging sign that the veteran wing is finding a rythym ahead of the postseason.

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