The Oklahoma City Thunder finally ended their NBA Championship drought with a 4-3 win over the Indiana Pacers.
The biggest contributor to the OKC Thunder’s success in the 2025 NBA Playoffs was none other than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
However, many would agree with Alex Caruso truly being a difference-maker for the team. Caruso’s championship experience with the Los Angeles Lakers certainly helped him this postseason.
To this day, LA Lakers fans are upset with the front office for allowing the veteran guard to leave in 2021. Most thought Caruso also loved the Laker Nation, but his postgame comments after winning the 2025 NBA title suggested otherwise.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Speaking of Caruso’s first ring, he won it with the Purple and Gold during the COVID-19-struck 2019-20 NBA season.
Since the 2020 playoffs were played in the Orlando Bubble, many have downplayed the Lakers’ achievements due to the absence of crowds and the concept of home and road games.
Despite being a part of the 2019-20 Lakers, Caruso didn’t shy away from launching a subtle jab at his former team during the postgame interview of Game 7.
“Yeah, now I got a real one. Now nobody can say anything,” Caruso told the media. “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?”
Caruso continued and praised the Thunder’s performance in the postseason. The 31-year-old claimed that the organization learned through success.
While it’s only natural for Caruso to praise his current franchise, Lakers fans on X were initially furious after hearing his subtle jab at the 17-time NBA champions.
Alex Caruso’s quick ‘sarcasm’ point makes Los Angeles Lakers fans happy
It didn’t take long for Caruso’s comments to go viral. Evidently, Caruso received major flak from one of the most passionate fan bases in the league.
This led to Caruso clarifying things on X, where he tweeted: “I had 3 beers already, it’s SARCASM!”
After learning the full truth about Caruso throwing shade at the Lakers, the fanbase was quick to apologize to their former guard.
“It’s all good, bro lmao we know you were messing around,” one Lakers fan wrote.
“Now I feel bad,” a second fan admitted.
“Sorry AC,” another fan apologized.
A fourth Lakers fan respectfully said, “Aye, we know Alex. We know. Congrats 2x champ.”
“No one can take a joke these days. Congrats on the win,” a fifth fan wrote.
At the end of the day, it’s great that Caruso cleared the air about his comments. Otherwise, he could have been welcomed with a wave of boos the next time he plays against the Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena.