One of the greatest players to ever hit the hardwood, former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson, has become just as known for his energetic social media presence as his on-court legacy. At 65 years old, Johnson is always quick to share his thoughts and observations, especially during the NBA postseason.
During the Western Conference finals, Johnson had his eye on the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder as they eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. The Thunder, who won 68 games during the regular season, are asserting their dominance and now sit four wins away from an NBA title.
After the series, Johnson sent out a congratulatory message to a familiar face:
"Congratulations former Laker and NBA champion Alex Caruso who now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder and is headed to the NBA Finals!"
It’s been quite a journey for Caruso. This will be his first trip to the NBA finals since his championship run with the Lakers in 2020 alongside LeBron James.
Undrafted out of Texas A&M, Caruso started his career in the NBA Summer League with the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent time with the Oklahoma City Blue before signing with the Lakers, where he played from 2017 to 2021.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) celebrates after scoring against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, 2025 in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9).
Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images
After that, Caruso signed a four-year, $37 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. His gritty defensive play earned him a spot on the NBA All-Defensive first team (2023) and second team (2024) while in Chicago.
In June 2024, the Thunder traded for Caruso in exchange for Josh Giddey. He later signed a four-year, $81 million extension with Oklahoma City in December.
This season, Caruso played in 54 regular-season games, averaging 7.1 points in 19.3 minutes per game. He’s been a key role player for the Thunder, embracing his spot as a defensive specialist and veteran presence off the bench.
In the five-game series against the Timberwolves, Caruso posted point totals of 9, 9, 3, 10 and 8. His best showing came in Game 4 on the road, where he tallied 10 points in 33 minutes.
Caruso’s story is a reminder of the power of persistence and knowing your role on a team. And now, he’s just four wins away from another ring.
Oklahoma City will await the winner of the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference finals series to find out who they will face in the finals starting June 5.