The Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday inside the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder clinched their first finals appearance since 2011-12 by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals in five games. The Pacers on the other hand, won their first Eastern Conference finals since 1999-2000 by eliminating the New York Knicks in six games.
As the two teams prepare to face off, Oklahoma City guard Alex Caruso decided to have fun with his attire during a press conference on Wednesday. Caruso, 31, wore a white headband over his hood, leaving fans in tears of laughter.
“This man never stops game intensity,” one fan wrote.
“ð¤©ð,” another shared.
“Lol, I love it,” another commented. “Just being himself and having fun.”
“Boy looking like a Ninja ð,” one fan wrote.
“Carushow,” another shared.
“ð¤£ð¤£ð¤£,” another commented.
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
Caruso is no stranger to wearing the headpiece. He has been seen in almost every game wearing a headband nearly every time he steps onto the court.
Caruso has averaged 8.8 points and 2.5 assists per game throughout the postseason as the Thunder's starting shooting guard. In the regular season, he averaged 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game during his first season in Oklahoma City after being traded from the Chicago Bulls for Josh Giddey.
The Thunder’s intention behind the deal was to add more defense and athleticism to their starting rotation, which has helped them shut down the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets and Timberwolves starters in the postseason.
Game 1 of the finals between Indiana and Oklahoma City starts at 8:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC.