Alex Caruso secured his second NBA championship after the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the 2024-25 NBA Finals. Unlike his first title with the LA Lakers in 2020, which was held under unique pandemic conditions and often questioned, this championship stands without controversy, marking a clear milestone for Caruso’s career.
2020 NBA Title Viewed as Controversial Due to Pandemic Conditions
The 2020 NBA Finals took place during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic inside a secure Bubble tournament at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. The LA Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, defeated Jimmy Butler’s Miami Heat 4-2 to claim the championship. However, many players and analysts raised concerns about the unusual setting, which included games played without live fans and significant mental hurdles for competitors. These factors led some to attach an asterisk to the 2020 title, suggesting it was not won under typical NBA season circumstances.
Caruso Celebrates His Uncontested Second NBA Championship with the Thunder
On Sunday at the PayCom Center in Oklahoma City, more than 18,000 fans witnessed Alex Caruso claim his second NBA championship in a standard season environment. After the Thunder’s victory, Caruso expressed satisfaction over earning a ring without any doubts about its legitimacy.
“Yeah, now I got a real one. Now, no one can say anything.”
—Alex Caruso, NBA player
Leading His Teammates in Championship Celebrations
With Caruso as the only player on the Thunder roster holding prior championship experience, he took on the role of guiding his teammates through the post-victory celebrations. This included teaching the group how to properly open and spray champagne bottles, a task that initially proved challenging for the team.
Reflecting on the humorous moments in the locker room, Caruso said:
“We went to the process a couple of times, and eventually we got everybody on the same page. It was a good first try. … We’ll be better next year.”
—Alex Caruso, NBA player
Additionally, Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein noted that Caruso was instrumental in helping the team with the champagne tradition, highlighting Caruso’s leadership beyond the court.
Looking Ahead: The Thunder’s Future After Their Title Run
Following this hard-earned championship, Alex Caruso and the Oklahoma City Thunder are focused on sustaining their success. Having gone through a full, traditional NBA season without disruptions, the experience gained positions them well for defending their title in the upcoming season. With more practice at their celebrations and gameplay alike, the Thunder hope to continue their championship trajectory.