Game 6 of the Western Conference finals ended with a 118-91 defeat for the Oklahoma City Thunder, sending the series back to a decisive Game 7 in Oklahoma City.
Alex Caruso pointed to the defensive collapse after halftime as the turning point, saying, “We were just slow to start playing how we needed to play if we were going to try and win this game tonight.” He noted that early second-half possessions shifted momentum quickly.
He expanded on the breakdowns in transition defense, explaining, “A couple of their first possessions were transition three, transition three, transition layup.” The Spurs used that burst to create separation and control the tempo.
Caruso also reflected on the broader difficulty of closing out a playoff series in familiar situations. “Yeah, you just wish you would have played better in Game 6 and could finish the series. Other than that, different team than both of those teams,” he said when referencing previous Game 7 experiences.
San Antonio’s shot creation, especially early, also played a role in the result. “He made jump shots. He made a lot of jump shots in the first half,” Caruso said, pointing to how rhythm shooting affected defensive coverages across the floor.
He also addressed the contribution of a returning Jalen Williams playing limited minutes. “Him just being able to play, put the uniform on and get out there is huge for us,” Caruso said. “We probably could have used him a little better.”
The conversation then shifted to leadership and the mental reset required between games. “It’s a double-edged sword. You got to put it behind you and clear the mind and get ready to compete again, but also learn from what you did wrong and try to figure out how you can be better,” he said.
Looking ahead, Caruso emphasized urgency and execution against a high-pressure opponent. “It’s definitely difficult,” he said of matching playoff intensity. “Credit to them they did what they were supposed to do. They came out hungry, played hard.”
He closed with a focus on the final matchup of the series. “It’s going to be a 48 minute game on Saturday that we got to be ready to play.”
Game 7 will determine who advances to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, with both teams now one win away from the championship stage.
