After helping the Oklahoma City Thunder clinch the 2025 NBA championship in a thrilling Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers, veteran guard Alex Caruso found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy. During the postgame celebration, a comment he made — seemingly lighthearted — sparked debate among fans, particularly those of the Los Angeles Lakers , regarding the legitimacy of the team’s 2020 bubble title. Caruso’s words quickly went viral, prompting him to clear the air and explain the true intent behind his remarks.
Alex Caruso clears the air after Thunder title comment sparks talk of shade toward 2020 Lakers championship
Alex Caruso, who played a major role in the OKC Thunder’s playoff success, was quite emotional following his second championship. Reflecting on his journey, he made a comment that many took as a jab at his former team and the unusual nature of the Lakers’ 2020 title run. Now, after the statement got wide attention online, he jumped on social media to set the record straight. “I had 3 beers already, it’s SARCASM!!” Caruso posted on X, assuring fans that the comment was made in jest.
“Yeah, now I got a real one. Now nobody can say anything,” Caruso said with a grin during his postgame press conference. “Yeah, I think just because of the way the team is constructed now versus the team I had in 2020, like it was much harder with this team just because of the experience, right?”
He elaborated further on what made this title feel different, “And everybody talked about you need experience, win a championship, and you need this, that, and the other. And I said multiple times through the postseason with this team that the good basketball is good basketball, winning basketball is winning basketball.”
Caruso added, “And the best team can win no matter what happens if you go out there and execute and do the stuff that you need to do to win the game. And I think through the playoffs, this team grew up and learned on the fly, which most teams have to learn through losses and learn through defeat. And I think this team learned through success.”
While many interpreted the “real one” comment as a dig at the Lakers’ 2020 title — won inside the NBA’s COVID-19 bubble at Walt Disney World — Caruso was quick to dispel the notion that he was diminishing the value of that achievement.
Also Read: “We won’t remember it” — NBA legend Gilbert Arenas drops bombshell take on OKC Thunder’s championship run for one reason
In Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, Caruso logged 32 minutes, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, three steals, and a block.
Alex Caruso clears the air after Thunder title comment sparks talk of shade toward 2020 Lakers championship
Alex Caruso, who played a major role in the OKC Thunder’s playoff success, was quite emotional following his second championship. Reflecting on his journey, he made a comment that many took as a jab at his former team and the unusual nature of the Lakers’ 2020 title run. Now, after the statement got wide attention online, he jumped on social media to set the record straight. “I had 3 beers already, it’s SARCASM!!” Caruso posted on X, assuring fans that the comment was made in jest.
Post-game, Caruso was asked about how he would compare the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers Championship run. He said:I had 3 beers already, it’s SARCASM!!
— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) June 23, 2025
-two time https://t.co/coxn1bDpKp
“Yeah, now I got a real one. Now nobody can say anything,” Caruso said with a grin during his postgame press conference. “Yeah, I think just because of the way the team is constructed now versus the team I had in 2020, like it was much harder with this team just because of the experience, right?”
He elaborated further on what made this title feel different, “And everybody talked about you need experience, win a championship, and you need this, that, and the other. And I said multiple times through the postseason with this team that the good basketball is good basketball, winning basketball is winning basketball.”
Caruso added, “And the best team can win no matter what happens if you go out there and execute and do the stuff that you need to do to win the game. And I think through the playoffs, this team grew up and learned on the fly, which most teams have to learn through losses and learn through defeat. And I think this team learned through success.”
While many interpreted the “real one” comment as a dig at the Lakers’ 2020 title — won inside the NBA’s COVID-19 bubble at Walt Disney World — Caruso was quick to dispel the notion that he was diminishing the value of that achievement.
Also Read: “We won’t remember it” — NBA legend Gilbert Arenas drops bombshell take on OKC Thunder’s championship run for one reason
In Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, Caruso logged 32 minutes, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, three steals, and a block.
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