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Frank Vogel on Alex Caruso: ‘He’s My Secret Weapon’

Alex Caruso Lakers Isaiah J. Downing / USA TODAY Sports

To Los Angeles Lakers fans, guard Alex Caruso is a fan favorite who has a huge cult following.

To head coach Frank Vogel, Caruso is something else.

The Lakers scored a big 120-116 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. It was a big, confidence-building win for the Purple and Gold, as they defeated an elite team on the road in a close, grind-it-out affair.

Caruso was a positive contributor to the victory with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 22 minutes, but his impact can go beyond the numbers.

He has often made an impact on the team with his energy and hustle, particularly on the defensive end and while going after loose balls. His 6-foot-5 frame also gives him versatility on defense, as he can guard a number of opposing backcourt players.

Caruso emerged late last season when a rash of injuries necessitated the team calling him up from the G League. He shot lights out from 3-point range over the last month of the year and was thus rewarded with a two-year, $5.5 million contract in July.

He struggled early this season but has found consistency of late. Coming into the game against the Nuggets, Caruso had been hitting 41.8 percent of his 3-pointers in his previous 32 contests.