When the Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2025 NBA Playoffs with a league-best (68-14) record, there was no secret about their ultimate goal: an NBA championship. They made quick work of the Memphis Grizzlies with a clean (4-0) sweep in the first round.
But it was their emphatic (125-93) Game 7 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals that sent shockwaves through the league—and now, a jaw-dropping stat is going viral, sparking conversations everywhere.
OKC’s Duo Helps the Team Achieve a Mind-Blowing Statline
According to the buzz making its way across NBA circles, OKC has been obliterating teams on both ends when defensive bulldogs Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace share the floor. The team outscores its opponents by nearly 30 points per 100 possessions with this duo on the court.
The Thunder are outscoring their playoff opponents by 29.3 points per 100 possessions when Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace share the court:
120.0 OffRtg
90.7 DefRtg
+29.3 NetRtgOKC’s elite defensive guard duo is locking down at a championship level. pic.twitter.com/WXkEOuAOcP
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 19, 2025
But this isn’t some fluke born out of one strong playoff series. Throughout the regular season, OKC’s defense was setting the tone, rewriting the franchise record books in the process. They recorded 47 games with at least 10+ steals, the most in team history.
The heart of this defensive chaos? Caruso and Wallace. Their on-court chemistry, tireless motor, and basketball IQ have become the secret weapon in OKC’s arsenal.
In Game 7 against Denver, Caruso turned in what might go down as one of the most impactful 11-point, three-assist performances in playoff memory. He was everywhere—diving for loose balls, locking up perimeter threats, and orchestrating the defensive rotations with surgical precision. The result? A ridiculous +40 in just 26 minutes of action. His impact was immediate and undeniable the moment he stepped on the hardwood.
Wallace, meanwhile, contributed seven points and three rebounds, but his box score doesn’t do justice to the defensive havoc he wreaked. Together, the pair limited Nikola Jokic, yes, Nikola Jokic, to just 20 points.
Now, as OKC prepares for a fierce Western Conference Finals showdown against the surging Minnesota Timberwolves, all eyes are on this young, fearless Thunder squad.
Alex Caruso’s Message to the Thunder Fans
While Caruso delivered a strong performance on the court in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, it was his postgame words that resonated deeply with Oklahoma City Thunder fans.
During the postgame interview, Caruso made sure to recognize the fans for their unwavering support throughout the series.
“I love this place. I told people after Game 5 here, I think that was the loudest basketball arena I’ve ever been in… it was deafening how loud it was. And I think it’s a testament to how much the community cares and how much the city cares about basketball and this team. And I think it’s reciprocated.”
“We play with a ton of energy and a ton of effort, and I think they’re excited to play their part and cheer us on. That’s the biggest thing in sports. Fans want to see effort, they want to see you play with energy, they want to see you play hard and compete, and I think that this team embodies that,” said Caruso during the interview.
So far this postseason, Caruso is averaging 9.3 points per game, contributing solidly on both ends of the floor. As the Thunder prepare to face the Timberwolves next, Caruso’s experience and defensive presence will be key factors in their quest to continue this playoff run.
