As the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for the 2025 NBA Finals, one undeniable factor in their success has been their home-court advantage. The Thunder have been dominant at Paycom Center, boasting an 8-1 home record in the playoffs and an astonishing +231 point differential across those nine games.
Ahead of Game 1, I had the chance to speak with Thunder guard Alex Caruso about the impact of OKC’s passionate fan base and how their energy fuels the team’s performance.
Len Werle of Open Court-Basketball: “Hey, Alex. After Game 5, Coach said to the fans that they should relax because they need you in Game 1. You’re 8-1 at home and plus 231 in those nine games. How important is the atmosphere, the fans that they bring to the games every single time you play at home? How important is it for you as players? How much energy do you get out of these fans?”
Alex Caruso: “It’s a great advantage playing at home. In front of our fans, just because they are so passionate and so knowledgeable of the game.
You know, even the other night against Minnesota, you know, we’re up 30 at some point to start the half and then they go on a little run and cut it to like 24, 22. And, you know, we weren’t struggling, but we were like, we were leaking water a little bit, and the fans just recognized that. Coming down on offense, they’re standing up, cheering—momentum kind of energy, you know, building to help us get back to it.
Just stuff like that. Obviously, when we’re up, you know, double digits, it’s easy to cheer, but even times when we’ve needed a boost, they’re there for us. And those are the times I think that make this crowd so special.”
Alex Caruso on OKC Fans:
“It’s a great advantage playing at home. In front of our fans, just because they are so passionate and so knowledgeable of the game.” pic.twitter.com/NxSQryFZgg
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) June 4, 2025
Caruso’s comments align with the Thunder’s incredible home record this season. OKC finished the regular season with a league-best 43-7 home record, proving that Paycom Center is one of the toughest places to play in the NBA.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has praised the fans for their unwavering support, stating,
“I think the fans put the wind at our players’ backs. There’s not a level of judgment. There’s no level of skepticism.”
Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 Kia NBA MVP, acknowledged the importance of playing in front of OKC’s home crowd. After closing out the Western Conference Finals against Minnesota, he said,
“I wanted the fans to be able to enjoy the moment with us. I wanted them to be able to see it unfold in front of their eyes. I wanted them to be celebrating in our building, go home, get drunk, whatever they do. I wanted them to have fun with the moment.”
Oklahoma City’s fan base, often referred to as “Loud City,” has built a reputation for creating one of the most intense atmospheres in the NBA. The energy inside Paycom Center has been compared to a college basketball environment, with fans arriving early, staying late, and even welcoming the team at the airport after road games.
Historically, teams with 40+ home wins in a season have gone on to win the NBA title, including the Toronto Raptors (2019), Golden State Warriors (2022), Denver Nuggets (2023), and Boston Celtics (2024). The Thunder’s 16.9-point average margin of victory at home ranks as the second-highest in NBA history, trailing only the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks.
As the Thunder prepare to face the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, their home-court advantage could play a pivotal role in determining the series outcome. With OKC fans bringing relentless energy, Caruso and his teammates will look to capitalize on the momentum and continue their dominant run at Paycom Center.
