With the NBA Finals nearing a potential close in Game 6, the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the cusp of a championship.
But rather than being swept up in emotion, key players Lu Dort and Alex Caruso are leaning into routine, focus, and mental discipline to prepare for the most important game of their season.
Lu Dort, known for his defensive toughness and relentless energy, has made it clear that his approach to Game 6 won’t change. “We still go out there and approach the game the same way,” Dort said. “We still got another win to get, so we gotta take away all the distractions, go out there and get the win.”
Despite how close the team is to lifting the trophy, Dort emphasized the importance of consistency. “I wouldn’t say it’s tough. Just approaching it like it’s another game. We’ve played so many games this year… It’s going to be another tough challenge, so go out there, compete, play hard and give our best just to win.”
His words reflect a grounded mindset that has helped the Thunder maintain composure throughout the postseason. Rather than letting the stakes rattle them, Dort and his teammates are treating each game with the same intensity they’ve shown all year-no more, no less.
Veteran poise: Caruso’s calm confidence
Alex Caruso, who won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, brings a veteran’s calm to the locker room. His Finals experience, especially during the unique “bubble” season, helps him manage pressure with a level head.
“I’ve been preparing for this moment for a couple of years,” Caruso said. “I don’t feel very different right now. I’m very concentrated, very focused on winning the fourth game.”
Throughout the series, Caruso has reminded the team that it’s not about any one game-it’s about getting to four wins before the other team does. That mindset, he believes, keeps the team from panicking or overreacting to the highs and lows of the series.
“Same adrenaline, same focus-just the same energies around it,” he said when asked to compare this run to the one in 2020. “You understand the moment of how close you are, and you just want to be ready and put your best out there.”
As Game 6 approaches, both players embody the mental clarity and focus needed to finish the job. Their message is simple: stay locked in, ignore the noise, and play like it’s just another game-because that’s how championships are won.
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