Thunder's Alex Caruso Receives Technical Foul for Using Shoe to Block Shot Against Magic

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In a bizarre incident during a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic, Thunder guard Alex Caruso received a technical foul for using his shoe to block a shot. When Caruso's left sneaker came off during the second quarter, he picked it up and swiped it at the ball as an Orlando player went up for a layup. The tactic worked, as Caruso knocked the ball loose, but the officials ruled it a technical foul, awarding the Magic two points and a free throw.

Why it matters

Caruso is known as one of the league's top defensive players, but his unorthodox move to use his shoe as a defensive tool backfired and ended up helping the opposing team's comeback effort. The incident highlights the lengths players will go to make plays on the defensive end, even if it means getting creative with their equipment.

The details

With just under 5 minutes left in the second quarter, Caruso's left sneaker came off as he was playing help defense in the paint. Rather than letting the play continue, Caruso picked up the shoe and swiped it at the ball as Magic forward Tristan da Silva went up for a layup. Caruso made contact with the ball, causing it to ricochet off da Silva's arm and go out of bounds. However, the officials ruled Caruso's use of the shoe as a technical foul, awarding the Magic two points and a free throw.

• The incident occurred with just under 5 minutes left in the second quarter of the March 18, 2026 game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic.