Alex Caruso makes an opening statement on the OKC bench

Oklahoma. and home – Oklahoma City Thunder a veteran Alec Caruso named the defending champions the team with the best second unit in the NBA as depth helped the team maintain its historic 12-1 start to the 2025-26 campaign. Thunder head coach Marc Daigneault shares his team’s mindset and approach gave Oklahoma City a dominant start to the regular season. And that has led to increased stakes for second- and third-year guys amid injuries.

In light of the Thunder’s electric start without All-Star Jaylen Williams, Caruso declared Oklahoma City second unit be the best in the NBA, he said, after Wednesday’s 121-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I think whoever we put out — regardless of who’s in the lineup and who’s out — our second 5 is better than any other 5 in the league,” Caruso said. “I say that humbly. Obviously, that’s no disrespect to anybody, but that’s the confidence I have in myself and my teammates.

We play with that confidence when we’re out there, and a lot of it is the energy we play with, the connection on defense, and then our ability to play randomly on offense with Shai. But also, when Shai gets off the floor and even says that, we’re missing some guys to start the year.”

Alex Caruso says the Thunder have the best second unit in the NBA

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his tenth 30+ point performance season in a 29-point win against the Lakers. What’s most impressive is that Gilgeous-Alexander had to fit a handful of those performances into three quarters, given eight wins by 14+ points.

After beating his former team, the Lakers, Caruso talked about the depth of the Thunder’s bench.

“One of those strengths of our team that I think I fit in well is just the depth and the quality of the depth,” Caruso said. “I’ve come off the bench for most of my career. So I know you have a responsibility where either the starters start slow and you come in, give the energy, and kind of pick it up for everyone, or the starters start great and now you have the responsibility to continue that flow and energy. For me, it’s always just a joy to play basketball.

“We won the championship and we came back with basically the same team. I’ve been playing with a lot of these guys for a year now. I know what to expect. I know how to move. I know how to move. It’s a really fun team to be a part of.”

The Thunder will return to the road for a quick two-game road trip, starting with the Hornets on Saturday.