Alex Caruso doesn’t chase stats—but give him an assignment like “make Anthony Edwards miserable,” and he locks in. By the second quarter of Game 5, Caruso had already grabbed two steals and held Edwards to just six points on 2‑of‑5 shooting. That’s not coincidence—it’s execution. OKC’s defensive plan was clicking, and Caruso was leading the charge.
He applied smart, relentless pressure. He fought through every screen, read Minnesota’s sets like a book, and never overcommitted. When Anthony Edwards squared him up, Alex Caruso stayed physical, bodying him just enough to throw him off. But the second Ant got a step, Caruso let off—no foul, no free points. That’s high-IQ defense in action.
Even Charles Barkley had to show love last week. He looked right at the camera and said, “This kid was so unbelievable.” First time all season anyone on this Thunder squad called Caruso a “kid”—and it came from a Hall of Famer. That’s respect earned the hard way.
ongoing story…
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