The Oklahoma City Thunder just made NBA history — and their fans are literally eating it up.
Following the Thunder’s first-ever NBA Championship win in a thrilling 103–91 Game 7 battle against the Indiana Pacers last Sunday (June 22), defensive powerhouse Alex Caruso wasted no time getting back to work… this time, not on the court, but at the Raising Cane’s drive-thru in OKC.
In true Alex Caruso fashion, the two-time NBA Champ and certified fan-favorite kept the celebration going by swapping post-game champagne for Cane’s Sauce, serving up crinkle-cut fries, chicken fingers, and combo boxes to hundreds of screaming fans at one of his favorite local spots.
Yes, “The Bald Mamba” really pulled a shift at Cane’s. And yes — it was iconic.
Just days after locking down the Thunder’s historic win — where he logged 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks in Game 7 — Caruso stepped behind the counter at Raising Cane’s like it was Game 8.
Dishing out meals, high-fives, and FaceTime calls (including one with Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves), Caruso proved once again why he’s not just a legend on the court — he’s one off of it, too.
“This team was made up of second-round Draft picks and free agents… This has been a full-circle moment for me, and it will take some time for it all to sink in,” Caruso told press during his shift. “Even today we still have hundreds of fans here at Cane’s. It doesn’t go unnoticed.”
His fiancé and Big Brother alum Haleigh Broucher was there for the whole thing, cheering him on as he dunked chicken fingers instead of basketballs and posed for endless fan selfies behind the counter.
But let’s talk basketball for a sec, because this team had a season that was nothing short of cinematic. The once underdog team ended the regular season with a league best 68 wins, finishing as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with one of the youngest rosters in NBA history. The College Station, TX native became the steady veteran force that helped shape a roster full of emerging stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.
“It was relatively easy to adjust to the team,” he shared. “I had the chance to build great relationships with the guys and I love joking around with them. On the court, we were all focused and it was a seamless transition.”
They fought their way through a stacked postseason with grit, depth, and a whole lot of heart, finally sealing the deal in a 7-game slugfest against the Pacers — another team chasing its first ring. In the final game, it was Caruso who delivered when it mattered most. The defensive anchor also logged two 20-point games in Game 2 and Game 4 of the Finals — marking the first time in NBA history that a player recorded multiple 20-point performances in the Finals after having none during the regular season.
Of course, Celeb Secrets had to ask the question everyone was thinking — one that’ll define Caruso and OKC’s place in basketball history. So what does the 31-year-old hope people remember most about his performance and team’s legacy. In true humble-hero fashion, Caruso told our reporters that it was “the amount of sacrifice and effort” he put in to seal the deal.
“ For me personally, I think just the amount of effort that I put in and the sacrifice I put in to win it, because it’s necessary and I hope that doesn’t go unnoticed, Alex shared with Celeb Secrets. “For the team, just the resilience. We obviously had a really good regular season, but post-season’s different; there’s ups and downs and we had the highest to highs, one by 50; but then we lost one game by 40 and then came back and won the next game. So just to be able to battle through the storm and, and stay together… I think the biggest thing.”
What makes this victory even sweeter? Caruso’s journey started right here in OKC back in 2016 with the Thunder’s G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. Fast-forward nearly a decade, and he’s back where it all began — this time, holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy and playing a pivotal veteran role in OKC’s fairytale season.
“It’s been surreal driving through the city and downtown, seeing all the new things. OKC is so special — we’re turning into a big city and it’s so exciting,” Caruso said. “The atmosphere is like high school football in Texas… flashing lights, decorated car windows… the love is so cool to see.”
When asked how this championship compares to his first with the Lakers in 2020, Caruso didn’t hold back: “That first one, I was with Hall of Famers and still figuring it out. Six years later? I knew the answers to the test — and I ran with it.”
Talk about growth.
Between parade speeches, media interviews, selfies with fans, and taking Cane’s orders with that signature Caruso sweatband, one thing was clear — this win wasn’t just for him. It was for Oklahoma City.
“I want people to remember the effort,” he said. “We’re going to enjoy this, reset, and then get back to work.”
Spoiler alert: He’s not done yet. With the trophy secured, Caruso is already thinking ahead.
“You get about three months to enjoy it… and then you’re back to square one,” he told us. “We’ve gotta reset and get back to it.”
But don’t worry — he’s soaking in every second of the moment, fries and all.
For more on Alex Caruso’s winning shift at Raising Cane’s, watch our highlights and interview below.
