Jun 8, 2025; Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam (43) dribbles the ball towards Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) through the first half throughout recreation two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Kyle Terada-Imagn Pictures Moments like these are why the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder traded for Alex Caruso within the offseason.
Heading into Monday’s Sport 5 of the NBA Finals at residence towards the Indiana Pacers, with the best-of-seven collection tied 2-2, Caruso is as massive of a purpose as any why the Thunder are two wins from the franchise’s first title since shifting to Oklahoma Metropolis.
Caruso performed in simply 54 video games through the common season, beginning simply three, and performed 30 or extra minutes simply as soon as.
However within the postseason, significantly this collection, the veteran guard’s presence has expanded.
Caruso has averaged 14.8 factors, 2.5 steals and 29.5 minutes per recreation within the collection and whereas he is not within the beginning lineup, he is on the ground throughout essential conditions late in shut video games.
“He is a gamer,” Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned of Caruso. “You plug him in wherever, any lineup, feels like several group, he makes a distinction. Makes everybody round him higher. He’s at all times speaking. He at all times is aware of the place we’re alleged to be, the place the opposite staff is meant to be.
“He has instincts which can be particular. I do not assume you possibly can train issues like that. He simply is aware of the place the ball goes, the place a rebound is bouncing to, learn how to get a deflection, well timed steals. He simply has a tremendous really feel for the sport and is an insane competitor.”
After not scoring greater than 19 factors through the common season, Caruso has scored 20 factors thrice within the playoffs, together with twice within the Finals.
He had 20 factors on 7-of-9 capturing in Oklahoma Metropolis’s 111-104 victory in Sport 4 in Indianapolis.
Caruso mentioned his secret has been approaching each second the identical.
“I need to win,” Caruso mentioned. “I do not care if it is (a) pickup (recreation) in September earlier than coaching camp. I do not care if it is Sport 45, 50, earlier than All-Star break. If it is the Finals and also you’re down 2-1, I need to win. That is what I am targeted on.”
Caruso is the one participant on the Thunder with Finals expertise earlier than this season, having been part of the Lakers’ 2020 title.
Whereas their roles are considerably totally different, Pascal Siakam has added an analogous degree of expertise for the Pacers, having been part of Toronto’s 2019 title.
Siakam mentioned that have has helped him this time round.
“On the ground, I used to be one of many guys that will go and get issues to occur for us, however off the courtroom, I used to be 12 months three,” Siakam mentioned. “We had so many veterans on our staff that had been by means of far more than I may ever think about as a participant. … I believe this time round, simply having been a type of guys that has been there or one of many few guys that has been there, and I am 12 months 9 or 10 or no matter, it is like I’ve far more to say and I can affect not solely by saying issues but additionally on the ground.”
Whereas the Thunder need to hold constructing momentum after outscoring Indiana 12-1 within the closing three minutes of Sport 4, the Pacers need to put away the disappointing loss after letting an opportunity to take agency command of the collection slip away.
“The most important factor is you possibly can’t let one spiral into two,” Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton mentioned. “You possibly can’t take the frustration of that recreation and let it’s a snowball impact. You need to be able to go for Sport 5 right here, once more in a hostile setting. We’re each two video games away. Something can occur right here. So you must transfer on as shortly as you possibly can.”
The Thunder are on this place for the second time within the postseason, having crushed Denver in seven video games within the second spherical after being tied 2-2 after 4 video games.
“Two wins and also you get the job accomplished,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “That is what I felt like I used to be targeted on within the Denver collection and we have been ready to take action, and similar factor for this collection.”
The Pacers have not been on this place on this postseason, having led all three of their earlier collection 3-1 after 4 video games.
–Discipline Degree Media
