Texas A&M's Alex Caruso erupts for 31 in playoff loss to Spurs
Former Texas A&M star Alex Caruso erupted for 31 points and eight threes in OKC’s double‑OT loss to the Spurs, while battling Victor Wembanyama.
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.