Alex Caruso highlighted discipline, physicality, and collective execution as the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their series lead to 3-0 with a 121-109 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
The Thunder’s defensive structure once again played a central role, limiting Phoenix’s primary scorers in key stretches despite multiple momentum swings in Game 3.
“I know they got a few rim runs, but then limit their main engines from getting repeated clean looks at the rim,” Caruso said. “That’s the game plan for any team we play.”
Caruso explained the Thunder’s approach as a consistent effort to control spacing and reduce efficiency zones for opposing creators.
“They take a lot of jump shots,” he said. “It’s just about trying to win the battles to where they’re not at 5 to 10 feet and it’s more like 10 to 15 and then further out.”
He emphasized that defensive positioning begins immediately as possessions start, where Oklahoma City prioritizes disrupting rhythm early.
“You got to fight for every inch,” Caruso said. “Whether that’s getting the ball in bounds, heating up the handler, or pushing catches out, being aggressive in coverage, rotating and helping for each other.”
The Thunder have outscored Phoenix by 54 points across the first three games, a margin Caruso attributed to consistency rather than isolated adjustments.
“It’s a battle. That’s what the playoffs are about,” he said. “We did a good job of responding. When the lead got out to 10, we didn’t flinch.”
Oklahoma City saw Phoenix cut into deficits multiple times in Game 3, but Caruso pointed to the team’s response as a turning point.
“Instead of them taking it from 10 to 15 to 20, it went 10 to five to us up,” he said. “Just being steadfast with our mentality of the kind of team that we want to be.”
Caruso also addressed the Thunder’s ability to stay aligned with their identity in high-pressure road environments.
“We knew what to expect. We knew they were going to be juiced and come home and there was going to be some energy,” he said. “We did a good job of responding.”
On the Suns’ perimeter threats, Caruso credited teammates Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace for setting the defensive tone.
“I can’t take a lot of credit,” he said. “Lu has done a fantastic job. Cason’s done a fantastic job.”
He added that Wallace’s activity in particular reflected the team’s defensive communication and anticipation.
“Cason Wallace blocked a jump shot tonight,” Caruso said. “Sometimes just making it tough on him is enough.”
Caruso also discussed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s growing command of playoff game flow, linking it to broader team execution.
“He’s just getting more and more reps and he’s getting better and better,” he said. “That’s when you really get to the next level.”
The Thunder now sit one win away from a sweep heading into Game 4 in Phoenix, with Caruso reinforcing the team’s focus on consistency rather than closing scenarios.
“We knew they were going to come with energy,” he said. “We just stayed with our mentality.”
