Alex Caruso Vows to Never Wear the Shoe on Defense Again
Oklahoma City Thunder player Alex Caruso has stated that he learned his lesson: no more attempts to stop the ball with his shoe on defense. Caruso starred in a viral moment during Tuesday’s game against the Magic, attempting to use his detached shoe to block a layup by Tristan da Silva. Caruso was assessed a goaltending violation and a technical foul for an illegal defensive play.The three points awarded after Caruso’s attempt were part of a 23-6 run by the Magic at the end of the second quarter, which helped them reduce the deficit to 51-50 at halftime. However, the Thunder (54-15) secured the victory with a score of 113-108, becoming the first NBA team to secure a playoff spot this season. Caruso, who finished with two points and eight rebounds and was the best on the team with a plus-19 in 24 minutes, assured that he will not try something like that again.As soon as I had my shoe in my hand, it came to mind to use it. Not in a malicious way, but as ‘Let me try to make a play to stop the ball’. It’s just one of those rare NBA plays that probably won’t happen again for another 10 years.
Alex Caruso
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points, extending his record streak to 129 games with 20 or more points, as the Thunder achieved their tenth consecutive victory.I had never been in that situation before. And I don’t know, it just came to me. I just thought I was going to block it, and honestly, I don’t know what I thought the referee’s decision would be. I didn’t know it would be goaltending and a technical foul. If I had known, I probably wouldn’t have done it because it’s three points.
Alex Caruso
