Magic Johnson Hails Alex Caruso as He Leads Thunder to 2024 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson Applauds Alex Caruso's Remarkable NBA Journey

Sometimes the most unexpected NBA stories grab everyone's attention. Alex Caruso’s latest run is one of those stories, and Magic Johnson just made sure nobody forgot it. After the Oklahoma City Thunder punched their ticket to the 2024 NBA Finals, Magic took to social media to give Caruso—a former undrafted guard and ex-Laker—his due props. Magic didn’t just mention Caruso; he celebrated him as a “former Laker and NBA champion” who’s now set for his second Finals appearance in five years.

Caruso’s path to this moment isn’t your classic superstar tale. He started as an undrafted free agent, bounced from the G League to a two-way contract with the Lakers, and worked his way into NBA relevance with defense-first play. His hard-nosed approach became clear as early as 2020, when he helped LeBron James and Anthony Davis lift the Lakers to their bubble championship. But Caruso hasn’t let up since. After a stint in Chicago, where he became a First Team All-Defense selection, he landed with the Thunder last summer via trade. Even fans who don’t follow the Thunder closely have noticed his intensity.

Game-Changing Impact for the Thunder

Caruso didn’t just show up for a Finals run—he’s been essential. In the decisive Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he stuffed the stat sheet: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals in just 24 minutes. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Caruso hounded Timberwolves guards all night, deflecting passes, diving for loose balls, and sparking momentum-shifting plays. The Thunder ran away with a 124-94 victory, clinching the Western Conference title and stunning the doubters who didn’t expect this young team—bolstered by a defensive specialist like Caruso—to surge this far.

Magic Johnson’s praise holds extra weight coming from a basketball legend who’s seen it all. Calling out Caruso as a "champion" and lauding his energy makes sense when you look at who he’s become: a glue guy, a spark off the bench, and now a leader for a Finals-bound squad. The NBA Finals spotlight will be familiar for Caruso, but the setting is totally new—this time, instead of teaming with LeBron, he’s locking arms with up-and-comers in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder’s next stop? A championship showdown against either the New York Knicks or the Indiana Pacers. Both present their own challenges, but with Caruso in the trenches, Oklahoma City can count on a defensive edge and a bit of championship know-how. Caruso’s not just a former Laker or All-Defense honoree anymore—he’s the kind of player who swings playoff series, the guy Magic Johnson wants everyone to recognize.