Alex Caruso Vows Thunder Will Master Champagne Showers After Fumbled NBA Title Celebration
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 27, 2025 — Alex Caruso, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s veteran guard and two-time NBA champion, expressed amusement and determination after his young teammates struggled to pop champagne bottles during their locker room celebration following a 103-91 Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. The endearing moment, which went viral, highlighted the team’s youth, with Caruso stepping in as the resident expert to guide the champagne showers.
A Youthful Fumble Goes Viral
The Thunder, the second-youngest team to win an NBA title with an average roster age of 25.6 years, secured their first championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008 on June 22, 2025. However, the postgame locker room celebration turned comical when players like Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Isaiah Hartenstein fumbled with champagne bottles, unsure how to uncork them. “None of us knew how to do it,” Hartenstein admitted during a press conference, likening their efforts to “YouTube tutorials.” Caruso, the only Thunder player with prior championship experience from the 2020 Lakers, took charge, teaching teammates to remove foil, undo metal cages, and pop corks. “AC, how we do this?” one player shouted, per Yahoo Sports.
The scene, captured in a viral NBA post on X, showed Caruso demonstrating the technique, though the team’s first attempt was “not in sync,” with only a few bottles spraying on the third try. “It was not a great showing,” Caruso told TMZ Sports on June 26 while working a ceremonial shift at an OKC Raising Cane’s, vowing, “We’ll be better the next time around.” Posts on X, including from @CourtsideBuzzX, dubbed Caruso “Unc” for his mentorship, amplifying the moment’s charm.
Caruso’s Pivotal Role in Thunder’s Triumph
At 31, Caruso was the Thunder’s elder statesman and defensive anchor, earning his second NBA title after a standout Finals performance. He averaged 10.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 steals off the bench, with historic 20-point, five-steal games in Game 2 and Game 4—the first such performances in Finals history. His defensive prowess, ranking in the 99th percentile for defensive turnover rate, disrupted opponents like Nikola Jokić and Tyrese Haliburton, cementing his role as OKC’s “straw that stirs the drink,” per The Athletic.
Caruso’s leadership extended off the court. Thunder GM Sam Presti playfully roasted the team’s youth, joking they were “not old enough to drink,” while Hartenstein credited Caruso’s “tutorial” for salvaging the celebration. The lighthearted struggle contrasted with their on-court dominance, led by Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 29 points and 12 assists in Game 7.
Champagne Mishaps and Team Camaraderie
The fumbled celebration underscored OKC’s inexperience, with Holmgren mispronouncing “Michelob” as “mish-a-lobe” during a press conference, drawing laughs. Hartenstein, who won a title in Lithuania in 2017, noted they celebrated with “hard tequila” there, not champagne. Caruso, who admitted to having “a few beers” before media interviews, clarified a controversial remark about his 2020 Lakers “bubble” title, saying on X, “I had 3 beers already, it’s SARCASM!!” to dismiss claims it wasn’t a “real” ring.
What This Means
The Thunder’s champagne mishap, while humorous, highlights their potential as a dynasty, with Caruso’s veteran presence anchoring a squad poised for more titles. His vow to improve future celebrations reflects confidence in OKC’s future, with fans on X already anticipating a repeat. As the team prepares for a June 28 parade in Oklahoma City, Caruso’s leadership—on the court and in the locker room—ensures the Thunder’s youthful exuberance will only grow stronger, corks and all.
