After a disappointing first game, the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back to level the series in Game 2. While many may have doubted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his teammate Alex Caruso shared his thoughts on how confident he is in the Thunder star.
OKC defeated the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 at the Paycom Center. SGA, who didn’t perform at his best in the previous game, led the scoring for the Thunder with 30 points while also adding nine assists. Meanwhile, the top scorer from Game 1, Caruso, continued his decent form with 17 points.
Many criticized the 2026 NBA MVP for his struggles in Game 1. But that wasn’t the case anymore in the most recent game, as Caruso addressed how much he believes in his teammate. “He doesn’t need any help being confident,” the guard said in the press conference.
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Caruso further added, “He obviously has the accolades, you know kinda speak for itself. I just try to tell him, even the other game, you know, I’m telling take us home. That’s what he does. That’s why he’s one of the best players in the world.” The 32-year-old addressed how much confidence he has in SGA.
“We know he’s getting the ball, they know he’s getting the ball and we want him to shoot,” Caruso added. Shai has been in these situations several times in the past and has succeeded in winning games. Following his second MVP win earlier this week, SGA has faced even more pressure to outperform his rival for the award, Victor Wembanyama.
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Wemby played a key role during the Spurs’ Game 1 win. However, in the second game, the 7-foot-4 star managed only 21 points, failing to lead the scoring for his team. The Thunder’s defense also held its ground against Wembanyama, who shot 8-of-16 from the field. The 2026 Defensive Player of the Year did manage to get 17 rebounds.
As far as OKC’s offense is concerned, SGA continues to lead the way. Veterans such as Caruso have shown trust in the 27-year-old by publicly advocating for him. As the Thunder head to San Antonio for Game 3, they will continue to support Shai as much as possible, which could eventually help them take the lead in the series with a win.
