Alex Caruso Matches Spurs Icon in NBA History After Game 4…
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso etched his name into NBA history during Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers, joining San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili in a rare statistical feat.
The Pacers appeared poised to seize a 3-1 advantage in the Finals after building a ten-point lead on Friday night, putting them within reach of an NBA championship. However, the Thunder mounted a powerful comeback in the fourth quarter to secure a 111-104 victory, fueled by standout performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Caruso.
Gilgeous-Alexander delivered as expected, scoring 35 points on 12-of-24 shooting and converting all 10 of his free throws. Williams also played a vital role, contributing 27 points to the win.
While the stars met expectations, it was Caruso’s outstanding effort that gave Oklahoma City the edge. In just 30 minutes, he tallied 20 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting and made a major impact defensively with five steals.
Through the first four games of the series, Caruso has totaled ten steals—making him the first player to reach double-digit steals in an NBA Finals series since Manu Ginobili did so in 2003.
Caruso has been a defensive powerhouse throughout the postseason, posting impressive steal numbers: nine in the first round, 11 in the second, eight in the Western Conference Finals, and now ten in the Finals. At 31, Caruso has embraced his role as an elite supporting player, reminiscent of Ginobili’s contributions during his time with the Spurs.
Ginobili recorded 13 steals during the 2003 Finals, helping San Antonio secure a championship over the New Jersey Nets in his rookie season. While Caruso still has a ways to go to match Ginobili’s legacy, his impactful play this postseason has been nothing short of extraordinary.
