For the last few seasons, the NBA has taken heat for feeling like a watered‑down product, especially during the regular season, and at times even in the early playoff rounds. But Monday night’s double‑overtime thriller between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs was the kind of game that shuts that narrative down fast. And former Texas A&M star Alex Caruso was right in the middle of it.
In a matchup headlined by two of the league’s premier young superstars, Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, it was Caruso who unexpectedly stole the spotlight. Known primarily for his defense and relentless energy, the 6‑foot‑5, 32‑year‑old guard drew the unenviable assignment of guarding the 7‑foot‑4 All‑NBA phenom throughout stretches of the game. The Thunder trusted him with the toughest job on the floor, and Caruso responded with one of the best performances of his career.
Caruso entered the night averaging just 6.2 points in the regular season and roughly 7.0 in the postseason. Then he detonated. Thirty‑one points. Eight three‑pointers. Two blocks. Two steals. A vintage “do‑everything” Caruso performance, only this time with an offensive explosion no one saw coming.
Unfortunately for Oklahoma City, even that wasn’t enough to overcome Wembanyama’s monster night. The Spurs’ franchise cornerstone delivered a thunderous 41‑point, 24‑rebound double‑double that ultimately overshadowed Caruso’s heroics and pushed San Antonio to the win.
Still, Caruso’s outburst was a reminder of what he’s capable of when the moment demands it and when he’s feeling it. He’s built a career on defense, toughness, and intangibles, but Monday night showed he can still flip a game on its head.
You can check out some of his best highlights below.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Alex Caruso vs. Wemby stole the show in a wild double OT game