When the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals just over a month ago, it marked a significant milestone for head coach Mark Daigneault and guard Alex Caruso. Their journey together began years earlier during the 2016-17 season, when Daigneault coached Caruso in the G League with the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s developmental team.
After starting his NBA career undrafted, Caruso moved on to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he became a key player in their 2020 championship run during the NBA bubble. Following three seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Caruso was traded back to Oklahoma City, reuniting with Daigneault, who had been the Thunder’s head coach since 2020 and earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in 2024.
Caruso’s Impact on the Thunder’s Championship Run
Oklahoma City was one of the league’s top teams throughout the season, largely because of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership. However, Caruso’s presence on the team amplified their success, providing relentless defensive effort that energized the roster. His impact extended beyond statistics, as many credited Caruso’s intensity as a driving factor behind the Thunder’s title victory.
In a recent interview on NBC Sports Bay Area’s Warriors-focused show, Dubs Talk, Caruso shared that his role extended off the court as well, helping connect Daigneault’s serious coaching style with the youthful and lighthearted personalities of Oklahoma City’s roster. He described how he uses humor to ease tension during intense moments in practice and film sessions.
“I’ve known [Daigneault] longer than anybody else, and been able to be my true self around him at all times. I can be kind of a wiseass or sarcastic at times, and he’ll be going through film or speeches, and I’ll drop a little one-liner and break the tension and put everybody off, and he’ll get a chuckle and hit me back with something.” —Alex Caruso
“He does a great job of leading us and being serious when he needs to, and then we have our role of making sure that he’s not too serious,” —Alex Caruso
Balancing Focus and Fun Led to Thunder’s Historic Success
The Thunder executed a near-perfect balance by staying focused on winning while maintaining a fun and playful atmosphere, despite fielding the youngest roster in the NBA. They amassed 68 wins during the regular season and then posted a 16-7 record in the playoffs, including victories in two decisive Game 7 matchups on their way to claiming the championship.
This achievement defied expectations, as many doubted a team with such youthful players could reach the pinnacle of the league. The prior season, despite a first-place finish in the Western Conference, Oklahoma City fell short in the Western Conference semifinals. The offseason acquisition of Caruso by General Manager Sam Presti changed the team dynamics, helping convert potential into ultimate success.
Future Outlook for the Thunder with Caruso and Young Core
Looking ahead, the Thunder appear poised for continued excellence. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren have all signed long-term contracts since the championship run concluded. With Caruso returning as both a critical on-court contributor and locker room catalyst, Oklahoma City’s young roster remains well-equipped to build on one of the best seasons in NBA history.