Alex Caruso tries his best to block a shot with a shoe

Sometimes, you have to do everything in your power to stop a player from scoring. During the Oklahoma City Thunder’s game against the Orlando Magic, guard Alex Caruso lost his shoe while playing. However, the game was still in progress, giving the guard no time to put his shoe back on.

With the game still going on, Caruso used everything to his advantage… even his shoes. As Magic forward Tristan da Silva was going up for a layup, the Thunder guard went up and went for the block with his shoe.

Although it was a strange sight to see, it was also an illegal maneuver according to NBA rules. Caruso was convicted of a technical foul for his actions. Additionally, the Thunder guard was also called for goaltending, meaning da Silva’s shot attempt would count as a basket.

The Thunder won 113–108 in a hard-fought match against the Magic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander again led the Thunder with 40 points on 14-for-27 shooting from the field, 28 of which came in the second half. Caruso finished with only two points, but he also finished with eight rebounds and two steals. Caruso scored +19 in 23 minutes off the bench.

After the game, Caruso admitted that if he had known the basket would count, he would not have used his shoe.

“I had never been in that situation before,” Caruso said. The Oklahoman After the game. “And, I don’t know, it came to me. I just thought I’d block it, and I honestly don’t know what I thought the call would be. I didn’t know it would be a goaltending and a technique. If I had known that, I probably wouldn’t have done it because it’s a three point. It’s an automatic bucket, and he didn’t even put the ball above the rim.”

With the win, the Thunder have secured a postseason berth. They play the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow.


#Alex #Caruso #block #shot #shoe

Alex Caruso takes dig at NBA Cup after being called ‘bran’

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their winning ways with a thrilling win over the Denver Nuggets at home on Monday evening. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may very well have strengthened his MVP case in this one, hitting two monster three-pointers in the final seconds to help secure the Thunder’s victory.

Oklahoma City was playing without several key players, including Alex Caruso, who has been in and out of the lineup all year due to various injuries. Recently, Caruso stopped by the “Pardon My Take” podcast, and one of the questions discussed was the Thunder’s inability to win the NBA Cup the past two years, despite making it to the tournament in Las Vegas both times.

Host Big Cat joked, “When the lights go as bright as they can at the NBA Cup, it’s suffocating. You’re the bran.”

Caruso then makes a joke at his expense, also ruining the NBA Cup in the process.

“When the platform is at its peak, he can’t step up to the plate,” he said, according to Big Cat on X, formerly of Twitter.

Indeed, many agree with Caruso’s opinion that the stakes of the NBA Cup have still not been raised high enough for fans to truly invest in the event.

Last season, the Thunder lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the Cup semi-final round, the first of four losses to San Antonio this season, leading many to speculate that a Western Conference Finals matchup between the two teams could occur.

Meanwhile, the Thunder have resumed their dominance after a bit of trouble over the past few weeks, with Gilgeous-Alexander returning to form after a long injury layoff with an abdominal strain./

When the Thunder are healthy, no team in the NBA can come close to matching their depth, and Caruso is a big part in helping the team get to the table on both ends of the floor when healthy.

Caruso hopes to be seen again when the lights are really brightest during the NBA Finals in June.


#Alex #Caruso #takes #dig #NBA #Cup #called #bran

Alex Caruso explains why Jared McCann is a better fit for OKC than the 76ers

Oklahoma City Thunder veteran Alex Caruso addressed Jared McCann’s impact in his first 12 games with his new team, and explained why he is a better fit for the defending champions than the Philadelphia 76ers. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault discusses what he has learned about McCann during his first dozen games.

Caruso gave the most credit to the Thunder front office, trade for McCain is ahead of this year’s deadline, he said, according to The Young Man and the Three podcast.

“For us, we do what we do as players, but the front office, as far as the fit, that’s probably the biggest compliment they can give me,” Caruso said. “The way Jared plays is like a mini I-Joe, like Isaiah Joe Light, not like the same player, but coming from the same movements, but the way they’re able to use their skill sets to shoot and move.”

Alex Caruso used an example from the Thunder’s 121–113 win against the Cleveland Cavs, where McCann drove to the rim, passed the ball to Joe before shifting to the corner for a deep three. For Caruso, it’s that style of play if the 76ers didn’t run their offense through McCann.

“I don’t think Philly played that way,” Caruso said. “I think they’re a lot more traditional because of Joel [Emiid]And, of course, Tyrese [Maxey] Very much on the ball. But for us, it is like freedom of movement. An open man is a right man. I think it benefits his game.”

McCain is averaging 11.8 points on 41.5% shooting, including 39.5% from deep, and 2.2 rebounds per game with the Thunder.

Mark Daigneault on learning about Thunder’s Jared McCain

Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) talks to guard Isaiah Joe (11) before the game against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Paycom Center.
Alonzo Adams-Imagen Images

The apparent departure of 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey to the Thunder’s Jared McCann ended the second-year guard’s tenure, and marked a new start with the defending champions. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault discussed McCann’s fitness after practice on Friday and told reporters how he has learned about his game so far.

“His shooting ability. He’s a guy you have to make runs off the line, which opens up some of those drives. I didn’t know his game well, especially that part of his game — those mid-range games show his strength,” Daigneault said. “He’s going downhill, and he’s able to absorb contact and rise up and shoot a balanced rhythm shot, which is harder than it looks. He makes it look easier than it is. So, he’s done a great job.”

Daigneault and the Thunder will host the Warriors on Saturday at Paycom Center.


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OKC loses Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein to injuries vs. Knicks

The Oklahoma City Thunder arrived at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night looking to prove why they have the best record in the NBA, but they left with more questions than answers regarding their health. In a physical performance against the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City lost two of its most important defensive anchors as Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein were both forced to foul out early via Brett Siegel.

Caruso, a versatile defender known for his tireless perimeter defense, suffered a left hip injury during the heat of the action. The team immediately ruled him out for the remainder of the night, a major blow to a unit that relies on his ability to disrupt opposing stars like Jalen Brunson. Shortly after, the frontcourt suffered a blow of its own. Hartenstein, who was returning to his former home in New York, was sidelined with left calf tightness.


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Caruso joins Shai, Williams on injury report vs. Cavs

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon. And if the official injury report is anything to go by, the defending champions will go into this match with a significantly reduced staff.

Alex Caruso joins franchise cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Jalen Williams as all three are not expected to play, according to the official injury report. Caruso has been officially ruled out due to a sprained left ankle suffered during Oklahoma City’s 105-86 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

MVP contender Gilgeous-Alexander has been sidelined with an abdominal strain while Williams is out with a strained right hamstring. However, this is not the end of the injury problems for the Thunder, with Ajay Mitchell and Thomas Sorber also unavailable for this game.

The Thunder enter this game as the clear favorites with a record of 43–14. However, they face a team that is most expected to emerge as title contenders, especially after the acquisition of James Harden, who has performed strongly on the floor. Apart from the absences, that means OKC could have a lot going on against the Cavs.

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Injury status of Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams vs. Cavaliers

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault talks with forward Jaylin Williams (6), guard Alex Caruso (9) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Cassia Center.
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Caruso missed Oklahoma City’s 105-86 win over Brooklyn with an injury, and the Thunder will take a cautious approach given his importance. Caruso continues to be one of Oklahoma City’s most destructive perimeter defenders and has the potential to perform well in the postseason.

This injury becomes even more damaging, as Oklahoma City is already without two of its primary offensive creators. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams represent a major part of their offensive threat, which puts more pressure on players like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.

thunderbolt injury report

Outside:

Alex Caruso: left ankle sprain

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Abdominal strain

Jalen Williams: right hamstring strain

Ajay Mitchell: Abdominal strain/sprain in left ankle

Thomas Sorber: Perfect ACL Surgical Recovery

cavaliers injury report

Outside:

Max Straus: Jones fracture surgery of left leg

Riley Minix: G League Two-Way

Tristan Enaruna: G League Two-Way


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