Alex Caruso goes viral after saving Oklahoma City Thunder's locker room celebration
The Oklahoma City Thunder may have taken home the 2025 NBA championship, but their locker room celebration after the win had fans laughing more than cheering. The champagne showers that usually follow a
7 victory didn't go as expected.
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Instead of smooth pops and sprays, players struggled to open bottles until Alex Caruso stepped in. What followed was a viral moment, and now, Caruso is opening up about it with a smile and some solid advice for young players.
Alex Caruso steps in as the unexpected MVP of the party
On Sunday night, June 22, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA Finals in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers. The game happened at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
After the victory, the team went back to the wardrobe to celebrate, but things did not go as well as expected.
The players were all pumped for the classic champagne moment, but when it came time to pop the bottles, most didn't know what to do. It turned into a light, funny scene with lots of smiles, a bit of confusion, and everyone just figuring it out together.
That's when 31 year old Alex Caruso went in to help. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard showed his younger teammates how to do it and made the party go. The teammates laughed when he helped them pop the bottles.
The moment was caught on video and spread quickly online. TMZ Sports was the first to report it.
Alex Caruso praises Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and calls out celebration slip-up
Alex Caruso spoke with TMZ Sports while working a shift at Raising Cane's in Oklahoma City, part of a celebratory event with fans. During the event, Caruso was asked about the locker room moment after the big win.
Caruso smiled and admitted, 'It was not a great showing,' referring to the team's struggles with the champagne. But he added confidently, 'We'll be better the next time around.
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Whenever that is.'
This was Caruso's second NBA title, and he's enjoying the moment. He shared that life since winning the championship has been busy but exciting. 'It's been a blur,' he said, still smiling.
Alex Caruso also praised his teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named Finals MVP. 'Shai's competitiveness is something else,' he said. 'He just never gives up.'
Aside from the celebration talk, Caruso gave heartfelt advice to players who weren't picked in the 2025 NBA Draft held on Wednesday, June 25.
'Not getting drafted doesn't mean it's over,' he said. 'Keep working. Stay ready. Your time can still come.'
Alex Caruso's leadership shows up in more ways than just basketball. He knows when to step up, even in the locker room after a big win. The Thunder's champagne celebration might not have gone smoothly this time, but with someone like Caruso around, they'll know exactly what to do the next time they win it all.
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