The Oklahoma City Thunder capped off a historic season Sunday night with a 103–91 Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers, claiming their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took home Finals MVP honors, it was veteran Alex Caruso who delivered the night’s spiciest soundbite.
“Now I Got a Real One”
In a now-viral moment from the postgame press conference, Caruso joked, “Yeah, now I’ve got a real one. Now no one can say anything,” referencing his first ring with the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers in the COVID bubble. The comment instantly stirred debate, given the long-standing criticism of that title’s legitimacy.
He later walked it back on X with a classic Caruso shrug: “I had 3 beers already, it’s SARCASM!”
Bubble Role Player to Thunder Backbone
Caruso wasn’t just along for the ride this time. In the 2020 Finals, he averaged 24 minutes per game, logging five total steals and scoring in double digits once. Fast forward to 2025, and he played a far bigger role: 28 minutes per night, double-digit scoring in four games, and 17 total steals, including three in Game 7.
OKC acquired Caruso in a trade for Josh Giddey last offseason, betting on his championship pedigree to elevate their young roster. That bet paid off. His relentless defense and leadership gave the Thunder exactly what they needed down the stretch.
A Ring for the Critics
Caruso’s NBA journey, from undrafted G Leaguer to two-time champion, is already the stuff of underdog legend. But this second title may finally silence critics who’ve dismissed his first as a bubble fluke, and by extension, questioned LeBron James’ fourth ring.
With this win, Caruso becomes the 10th active player with multiple rings and joins Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jrue Holiday as the only players with titles in the 2020s. And with OKC’s young core locked in, Caruso may not be done just yet.
Thunder Strike Historic Gold
The Thunder’s 68 regular-season wins rank sixth all-time, and their league-best point differential showcased just how dominant they were. From opening night to Game 7, they blitzed opponents with pace, length, and energy.
As the champagne flowed in the locker room, Caruso, dubbed “Uncle Caruso” by his younger teammates, was seen showing the rookies how to pop bottles properly. After a season filled with dominance, his experience was the final ingredient that helped OKC seal the deal.
