The Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals, highlighting the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.
The Thunder struggled in the first quarter, dropping 26-21, but then it was close to perfection until the final buzzer.
OKC scored an incredible 104 points in the final three quarters, blowing the nuggets completely.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35) and Jalen Williams (24) led the team from a statistical standpoint, but Alex Caruso also had a great evening.
Cleveland Cavaliers player Georges Nian was highly rated Caruso’s performance in Game 7 against the Nuggets.
He even suggested “carry” his team despite the former Los Angeles Laker only had 11 points and three assists off the bench.
“OKC joined the role player,” Nian explained. “When Alex Caruso was paid, many people said, “I think he was like an average of five points and three rebounds. How is this happening?”
“Well, you see it here, because in the big game, that guy is AF.
Nian was surprised that Carusoguard saw Nicola Jokic, sometimes the most valuable player, three times, in a showcase of his competitive spirit.
“You thought about all the intangibles he had brought, and then he was protecting (Nicola) Jokic,” he added. “I wiped my eyes like, “What?” ”
Former NBA player Chandler Parsons had a lot to say about Caruso after the Thunder took the Western Conference Finals.
He praised general manager Sam Presty for trading Josh Giddy in exchange for last year’s offseason.
“I think this is why they moved. Josh Giddy has a chance, he had a great year in Chicago, but Alex Caruso just fits.
“He fits well with this roster. You don’t have to give him the ball. He just plays defense. He’s a great guy.
“Imagine being Casson Wallace in that locker room and learn everything from this guy. He has to take the weight from the SGA and protect the best scoring guard on the other teams.
“You have Cason Wallace, you have (Aaron) Wiggins, you have (Isaiah) Joe, and Alex Caruso is the best of all of them.”