Alex Caruso Returns To Thunder Lineup on Wednesday

After a week of devastating injury news and a couple of disheartening blow out losses south of the Red River, Oklahoma City Thunder fans have finally had some good news to enjoy the last couple of days.

First, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 points and willed the Thunder to a much needed win on the road against a good Cleveland Cavaliers team. The back to back MVP reminded everyone that OKC was not just going to roll over and take losses. Despite the injuries, this is still a formidable team with championship DNA.

Next, the Thunder signed Dalen Terry to a two year contract to fill the team's 15th and final roster spot. It was very apparent what OKC was lacking in those dejecting losses to the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets. Well, I mean, besides Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace. Oklahoma City needed experienced NBA players and capable point of attack defenders. Terry checks both boxes.

And the final bit of happy tidings was delivered via the injury report on Tuesday afternoon when Alex Caruso was no longer listed. That means that the two time All-Defense selection is available to play on Wednesday night against the Cavs in OKC. 

Caruso sprained his ankle in the first half of OKC's win against the Phoenix Suns. After only playing 9 minutes in that game, he missed the team's entire road trip. A bit of worry had started to hover over the Thunder fanbase that maybe he'd miss several more contests. Fortunately, Caruso is back after missing only three games.

It's hard to overstate how important Caruso is to this current iteration of the Thunder. The team's identity has long been a hounding, physical defense that flies all over the place and causes turnovers and fast break points. The injuries to Williams, Holmgren, Wallace and Caruso meant that OKC was without all four of their All-Defense players. Simply getting one of them back should have a ripple effect on the rest of the roster.

The offense will see a boost as well. While he's mostly known for his defense, energy and hustle, Caruso is a positive, confident 3 point shooter and efficient scorer. He's a connective passer. He's a high IQ baller who always tends to make the right read and knows where to position himself in any offensive set.

Caruso is a high impact two-way player who will give OKC about 20 minutes of winning basketball a night. The return of another piece of the championship core will bring both a calming confidence as well as some swagger. The return of Caruso will make the Thunder feel, look and play a little more like the Thunder.

And that's good news for OKC fans.