Win-Win Trade! Just How Valuable Has Alex Caruso Become in the Playoffs?

In a gritty Game 4 of the Thunder vs. Nuggets series, the Oklahoma City Thunder eked out a 92-87 road victory, evening the series at 2-2. While the spotlight often falls on stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, this win was undeniably a triumph of the Thunder’s bench—and more specifically, a testament to the impact of Alex Caruso.

To put the performance in perspective, the trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren combined for just 43 points on 42 shots. In contrast, the Thunder’s bench contributed 35 crucial points, largely compensating for a DNP (Did Not Play) situation for Dort in the fourth quarter. On the other side, Denver’s reserves—just Russell Westbrook and Watson—managed a mere 8 points combined, a stark difference in bench production.

Among the Thunder reserves, three players scored in double digits:

• Andrew Wiggins: 11 points on 8 shots, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, plus a +14 plus/minus.

• Isaiah Joe Wallace: 11 points, hitting all three of his threes, with a +12 plus/minus.

• Alex Caruso: 10 points on 7 shots, shooting 2-of-5 from deep, and +12 on the plus/minus meter.

Caruso’s showing, however, demands special attention. This was his longest playoff outing of the year, playing 28 minutes and 18 seconds. In the critical fourth quarter, Caruso was nearly unstoppable, sitting out just 7 seconds and effectively taking over the bulk of Dort’s usual minutes during crunch time.

Despite trailing by six points heading into the final period, the Thunder erupted with a 29-18 quarter to “put out the fire” on the Nuggets’ offense. Caruso was central to this surge. But his impact went well beyond scoring. On defense, Caruso locked down the Nuggets’ most dangerous players. He guarded Porter Jr. and Westbrook for six minutes and 27 possessions, during which they combined to go 0-for-3 with zero points scored. When even the three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who stands about 15 centimeters taller than Caruso, couldn’t find any success—shooting 0-for-3 and scoring zero points while guarded by him—it became clear just how disruptive Caruso’s defense truly is.

Offensively, Caruso isn’t just a shooter; he’s a highly efficient transition player. In the playoffs, he’s averaging 2.3 points per game on fast breaks, ranking him 26th across the entire NBA—a solid figure for someone whose primary reputation has been defense and three-point shooting.

Statistically, Caruso’s playoff impact is nothing short of astonishing. Despite modest regular-season numbers—7.1 points, 2.5 assists, 44.6% shooting, and 35.3% from three—his postseason stats tell a different story: 8.5 points, 3.1 assists, 43.4% shooting, and a stellar 41.2% from beyond the arc. He shares the team lead for total three-pointers made with 14, tying with Holmgren and Dort.

More impressively, Caruso’s defensive presence is felt in every facet of the game. He averages 9.5 deflections per game in the playoffs, and opponents’ shooting percentages drop drastically when he’s on the floor: a 10.6% decline in overall field goal percentage, 8.1% fewer made threes, and a massive 20% dip on shots within 10 feet of the basket.

Some skeptics might attribute these eye-popping numbers to the Thunder’s first-round sweep of the Grizzlies, where the defense was dominant. But even when isolating the current series against Denver, Caruso maintains nearly the same level of disruption: 9.8 deflections per game, a 14.4% reduction in opponent shooting, a 10.8% drop in three-point accuracy, and a whopping 23.4% decline on close-range attempts.

Breaking down Caruso’s defensive matchups further highlights his value:

• Versus Russell Westbrook (63 possessions): Westbrook shot 3-for-9 and scored 7 points.

• Against Jaren Jackson Jr. (54 possessions): Jackson shot 5-for-11, scoring 10 points.

• On Lonzo Ball (34 possessions): Ball managed only 1-for-7, scoring 2 points.

• Against Aaron Gordon (26 possessions): Gordon was 3-for-9 for 7 points.

• Versus Porter Jr. (23 possessions): Porter went 0-for-3, scoring 2 points.

• On Jokic (16 possessions): Jokic was held to 1-for-5, scoring 4 points.

When Caruso is on the floor, the Thunder outscore opponents by an astonishing 22.7 points per 100 possessions throughout the playoffs. When he sits, that margin shrinks to just 5.4 points. Specifically in this second-round series, the numbers are nearly identical—19.1 points per 100 possessions with Caruso on the floor, versus 4.4 without him.

These numbers alone tell a compelling story, but context is everything. Remember the blockbuster trade last offseason where the Thunder sent rising star Cade Cunningham to the Bulls for Caruso—without even including draft picks? At the time, the deal raised eyebrows. Cunningham was a high-upside young player on the rise, while Caruso was known more as a role player with solid defensive chops but limited offensive upside.

Fast forward to now, and this trade looks like a classic win-win for both teams. Cunningham has thrived in Chicago, cementing his role as the team’s cornerstone with averages of 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game since the All-Star break. He’s on track for a lucrative contract extension this summer.

On the flip side, Caruso has become one of the Thunder’s most impactful players off the bench. His limited minutes belie his outsized influence on both ends of the floor, providing a veteran presence, lockdown defense, and timely scoring when it matters most. His performance in Game 4 should make Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault seriously consider increasing Caruso’s role in upcoming contests.

Caruso also brings something priceless to this young Thunder roster: championship experience. As the oldest player on the team and a former NBA champion with the Lakers, Caruso’s poise and understanding of what it takes to win at the highest level is invaluable. Last year, the Thunder’s inability to respond under pressure contributed to their early playoff exit—partly due to unsuccessful acquisitions like Gordon Hayward.

This season, with Caruso’s steady leadership and relentless energy, the Thunder have shown they can fight back from deficits. In Game 3 against Memphis, Caruso’s performance was critical in their stunning comeback victory. The current series with Denver has seen the Thunder twice overcome blown leads and twice respond to Nuggets’ rallies, and Caruso’s presence has been a constant stabilizing factor.

Jalen Williams praised Caruso after Game 4, stating, “If you want to know what it takes to win a championship and the kind of mindset you need, Caruso probably knows. He brings championship blood to this team.” Indeed, some players’ value cannot be fully captured by statistics alone, and Caruso is the embodiment of that truth.

The Thunder look like a team with legitimate championship aspirations this year, and if Caruso keeps playing at this level, he could very well add another ring to his resume. The blend of youth, talent, and seasoned veterans like Caruso has created a dynamic group capable of competing with the NBA’s elite.

It’s a reminder that in today’s league, success isn’t just about star power—it's about complementary players who elevate their teams through relentless defense, smart playmaking, and clutch scoring. Caruso’s journey from a role player on a stacked Lakers team to a key piece in the Thunder’s playoff puzzle underscores how critical such players are.

As the series progresses, all eyes will remain on Caruso to see if he can maintain this elite level of play. For Thunder fans, he’s become more than just a trade acquisition—he’s a symbol of grit, determination, and the unyielding will to win.

A Thoughtful Take:
Alex Caruso’s postseason transformation illustrates a vital NBA truth: a player’s worth isn’t always reflected in box score averages but in the intangible impact on both ends of the floor. His lockdown defense, timely shooting, and championship mentality make him indispensable for a young Thunder squad looking to rewrite its narrative. The trade that brought him to OKC may end up as one of the sharpest moves of the offseason, not just for the Thunder but for the league’s broader balance of power. It’s proof that sometimes, veterans with “intangible” qualities hold the key to unlocking a team’s true potential—and Caruso is playing that role to perfection.