If you thought bench players just sit around and sip Gatorade during the NBA Finals, think again. In Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins made sure no one watching mistook them for seat-fillers. The duo came off the bench and didn’t just contribute — they changed the game.

Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins combined for 38 points on 12-for-22 shooting, including nine threes. Caruso dropped 20 with four triples, Wiggins added 18 with five of his own, and just like that, OKC’s second unit turned into a scoring clinic. They didn’t just fill minutes — they swung momentum. That 19-2 second-quarter run that broke the game open? It had both their fingerprints all over it.

Wiggins knocked down back-to-back threes like he was still in warmups. Caruso brought the chaos — tipping passes, pushing pace, hitting timely shots. And while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 34-point masterclass was the headline stat, it was the bench’s punch that gave OKC breathing room. The Thunder had five players score 15 or more — a feat not seen in the Finals since the 2019 Raptors.

Indiana, meanwhile, struggled to match that kind of production. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 17, but no one else cracked 20 — for the second straight game. That’s the kind of dry spell you can’t afford on the biggest stage. The Pacers became the first team since the 2013 Heat to go without a 20-point scorer in either of the first two Finals games. Not exactly historic company you want to keep.

Why the Modern NBA Title Run Starts on the Bench

It’s easy to get caught up in the stars — Shai dropping 30s, Haliburton running the show, the usual big names making big plays. But if you’ve been paying attention to this Finals — or really any deep playoff run lately — the real game-changer often happens when the starters hit the bench.

There’s a reason 22 of the last 25 champions finished the regular season ranked in the top 12 for bench net rating. That’s no coincidence — it’s a blueprint. When your second unit can come in, maintain the tempo, lock in on defense, and knock down shots, you’re not just surviving the non-star minutes; you’re winning them.

This year’s Finals offer a perfect example. Both the Thunder and Pacers rely on deep rotations, with nine or ten players seeing meaningful minutes. But in Game 2, OKC’s bench didn’t just contribute — they took control. That kind of depth doesn’t just eat up minutes; it steals games.

In a seven-game series, depth matters more than ever. Rotations tighten, legs get heavy, and matchups get exposed. That’s when a strong bench shifts from a luxury to a necessity. Alex Caruso and Andrew Wiggins didn’t simply show up; they stamped their authority on the game. If the Pacers want to stay competitive, their second unit will need to respond in kind.

Finding a KD and Steph-level duo or putting together a starting five like the 2003–04 Pistons is no easy feat. That Detroit team didn’t just win—they overwhelmed with cohesion, chemistry, and execution. They proved that in the playoffs, a collective can outclass the brightest stars.

And while the league is full of Alex Caruso-type grinders—versatile, hard-nosed, and built for any role—there’s no blueprint for knowing who will actually deliver when the lights burn hottest.

Superstars like SGA still drive the league, no doubt. But neglect your bench, and you’re gambling with your season. A deep second unit won’t win you a title by itself—but as the playoffs have consistently shown, you’re not winning one without it.

In today’s NBA, where fatigue is real and adjustments come fast, depth isn’t optional — it’s the difference between fighting to stay in it and taking control. Right now, Oklahoma City’s second unit isn’t just holding steady. They’re setting the tone.

So next time someone tells you benches don’t matter in the Finals, point them to Game 2. Because if you want to see where champions are truly made, look no further than the bench.