Alex Caruso addressed the media following Oklahoma City’s 121-119 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, pointing to missed opportunities and controllable mistakes in the final minutes.
“We gave up too many second-chance points and committed unnecessary fouls,” Caruso said, emphasizing that better execution and discipline could have helped the Thunder avoid a late-game situation.
Oklahoma City led by 14 in the second half before Denver mounted a comeback, capped by Aaron Gordon’s game-winning three in the final seconds.
Caruso defended the Thunder’s decision to intentionally foul while up three, calling it a strategy the team had “talked about doing.”
“I probably could have let Gordon dribble a couple more times, run more time off the clock,” he added, reflecting on his final foul that gave Denver one last possession.
Despite Chet Holmgren missing two free throws and contesting Gordon’s winning shot, Caruso dismissed the idea that the ending was solely to blame.
“I don’t think those last two, three possessions lost the game,” he said. “The five-to-six-minute mark down to the one-minute mark probably could have been a lot better.”
The Thunder were outscored 36-29 in the fourth quarter, and Caruso pointed to defensive rebounding and foul control as key breakdowns.
“We didn’t finish possessions, and they got free throws where they didn’t have to earn it,” he said.
Caruso voiced support for Holmgren after his late missed free throws, reminding reporters of the rookie’s playoff performances in the previous round.
“There’s a reason Mark [Daigneault] puts him out there,” Caruso said. “Super confidence in Chet. That’s unwavering.”
He also addressed Nikola Jokic’s second-half dominance after forcing seven turnovers earlier in the game.
“We probably gave him too much freedom,” Caruso said. “He’s a multiple-time MVP, and we have to make it harder for him.”
The veteran guard finished with 20 points and five threes off the bench and stressed the second unit’s importance going forward.
“We just have good synergy,” he said of Oklahoma City’s reserves. “If we don’t foul and we rebound the ball, we have more chances to get out in transition.”
When asked about the emotional state of the locker room postgame, Caruso pushed back on any notion that the team was taking the loss lightly.
“It was pretty dim,” he admitted. “But we’re here to compete. It’s first to four, and they’ve got one.”
Looking ahead to Game 2 on Wednesday, Caruso expressed optimism.
“I had fun playing basketball tonight,” he said. “I want to win more than anything… but I’m playing basketball in May. I’m excited about the opportunity.”
