Alex Caruso is the type of player coaches love and teammates admire: relentless, gritty, and always willing to do the dirty work. But that same motor that makes him invaluable can also make managing his minutes a delicate task.
In Oklahoma City, the Thunder made a deliberate choice to reduce Caruso’s regular-season minutes to avoid wear and tear, despite his natural desire to stay on the court and fight through adversity.
“Yeah, some of that, it was difficult just because I am such a competitive guy,” Caruso shared.
“If I’m only playing 15 to 20 minutes, if it’s one of those nights where it’s 15, we’re not playing great – like, my instinct is to, all right, coach, leave me in there. Let me fix it. Let me be the one to help us get out of it.”
That internal struggle between competitiveness and patience is one many elite athletes face, but few articulate as clearly. Caruso recognizes that his will to compete sometimes overrides his need for long-term preservation.
That’s why the Thunder stepped in – not to limit him, but to protect him from himself.
Now, as the playoffs intensify and Caruso’s minutes climb, he has the green light to unleash his trademark intensity. It’s a fine balance: embracing the fire within without letting it consume the bigger picture.
Thunder Notes: Caruso, Wiggins, Ownership, Depth, Defensive Strategy https://t.co/n7msr1gklP pic.twitter.com/hOt38WJXf7
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) June 11, 2025
