Thunder’s Alex Caruso backs Chet Holmgren with ‘unwavering’ take after Game 1

OKLAHOMA CITY — Before Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren revealed his eagerness for Game 2 of his Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets, Alex Caruso showed his unwavering faith. Holmgren’s two missed free throws set the stage for Aaron Gordon’s game-winning three, but that doesn’t change head coach Mark Daigneault’s faith in Holmgren, and the same can be said about Caruso.

After Monday’s 119-117 loss to the Nuggets, Caruso explained why his faith in Holmgren hadn’t changed based on how Game 1 ended with the Thunder blowing a 14-point lead.

“He was in there for a reason. He was in there in Game 3 when he had 25 [points] in the second half, when we had the comeback against Memphis. He was in there late in the game, Game 4 against Memphis, closing out that series,” Caruso said. “We trust him. We believe in him. There’s a reason that Mark puts him out there.

“I felt confident when he caught the ball to go shoot the free throws. Sometimes the ball doesn’t go in, and you have to go and try to make a play,” Caruso concluded.

Caruso questioned the likelihood of watching Holmgren miss a pair of free throws, compounded by Gordon’s three at the end of a fast break.

“What is the percentage chance of Chet missing two free throws and then Gordon making a contested above-the-break three for the game. It’s probably in our favor, yet it didn’t happen for us, right? Again, I don’t think it goes to that,” Caruso added. “I think it goes to the five minutes before that. But we’re super-confident in Chet. That’s unwavering.”

Alex Caruso keeps a positive perspective on Thunder loss