Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Emphasizes Alex Caruso's Importance to OKC

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets plenty of headlines as the back-to-back reigning NBA MVP and leader of the reigning-champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

However, the importance of veteran guard Alex Caruso can not be understated as the Thunder make their way through the 2026 postseason.

Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized Caruso’s invaluable impact after Tuesday night’s Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

“He has the most championships on this team, first and foremost. He’s played in the biggest games on this team. That experience, you can’t recreate, you can’t manuafacture. You either go through that, or you don’t,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

“AC is not some uber-talented guy. He’s not some guy that’s like 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and shoots lights out. But he’s one of if not the best competitor in the NBA night in and night out,” he continued. “He wears that hat for this group all season long and it’s on TV every night now so the world’s getting to see it. But he’s huge for us.”

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Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder in Game 5, recording 32 points and nine assists. Caruso chipped in with 22 points and six assists on 4 of 8 shooting from behind the 3-point arc.

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Carsuo notched his playoff career high in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, dropping 31 points in the Thunder’s double-overtime loss.

Game 6 will tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 6:11 PM.