Nikola Vucevic calls Alex Caruso's defense a "game-changer" after holding the San Antonio Spurs' Devin Vassell to only five points

Having Alex Caruso on the Bulls is a safety net other NBA teams don’t have.

© Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

In the game against the San Antonio Spurs, Alex Caruso’s numbers were as follows: 11 points, six rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals. As impressive as those stats are, it wasn’t Caruso’s most remarkable contribution; instead, it was these numbers—1-of-13.

These were Devin Vassell’s shooting numbers for the evening, as he was relentlessly harassed by Caruso all game long. Vassell, the Spurs’ talented two-guard who came into the game averaging over 18 points per game on 46 percent shooting, finished the game with only five points.

Game-changer

The Bulls’ starting center, Nikola Vucevic, called Caruso’s work on the defensive end of the floor as “game-changing.” It has helped change the trajectory of the Bulls’ season, as the team now ranks 15th in defensive rating at 114.7. 

Over the last 22 games, the Bulls have been outstanding, ranking seventh with a defensive rating of 113.7. While other Bulls players have stepped up, Caruso has been at the center of this defensive renaissance.

“It’s game-changing for us knowing we have him out there, and he’s going to guard the best player every night, going to be aggressive and makes all of us more aggressive by the plays he makes,” Vooch said.

“A lot of times they’ll dump off (the ball) to my guy (I am defending). He’ll come back and block the shot. When you see a guy do stuff like that, it gets everyone going. Great to have him on your team; love playing with him.”

Here are two prime examples of why Devin Vassell struggled against the Bulls.

All-NBA defender Alex Caruso was assigned to him the majority of the night. Along with that & no center help, Vuc has no worries about the roll-man in the Vassell PNR and pretty much double teams him. pic.twitter.com/QquDxiIbci

— Ty Jäger (@TheTyJager) January 14, 2024

Incredible hustle

One play symbolized Caruso’s relentless effort and hustle on the court. With the Bulls down six, 109-103, in the fourth, Caruso intercepted a pass by Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, tip-toed down the sidelines, and passed it to a streaking Ayo Dosunmu, who scored a fastbreak layup to pull Chicago to within four.

The sequence blew the mind of Bulls coach Billy Donovan away.

“The play he made that was unbelievable was when he stole it and saved it; it was just unbelievable, incredible,” Donovan said.

“That was just an unbelievable play. Never mind the deflection part of it being unbelievable, the fact he kept the ball in play was amazing.”

Alex Caruso HUSTLES 😤 pic.twitter.com/19qEPnynkT

— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) January 14, 2024

Coby White is happy to see that the Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine are healthy again, which instantly resulted in victories