OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a spectacular performance, scoring 40 points and making eight assists in just three quarters as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers with a score of 134-114 on Thursday night. This game featured a clash between two of the top-ranked teams in the NBA.
Both the Thunder and the Cavaliers are now tied with identical records of 34-6, following this game. Earlier in the season, Cleveland had edged out Oklahoma City with a 129-122 win on January 8, but this time, the Thunder delivered the Cavaliers their largest defeat of the season. Lu Dort contributed significantly with a season-best 22 points, while Jalen Williams added 19 points to the Thunder’s tally as they celebrated their fourth consecutive victory.
For Cleveland, Darius Garland was a standout, scoring 20 points and providing nine assists. Jarrett Allen contributed 13 points, but Donovan Mitchell, the team’s leading scorer, had a tough night on the court, finishing with just eight points after shooting 3-for-15.
The game began with the Cavaliers holding a slight 12-10 lead before the Thunder took control. Oklahoma City dominated the first quarter with an explosive 22-2 run, finishing the period with a 32-14 advantage as Gilgeous-Alexander netted 15 points. He then added 11 points within a short three-minute span in the latter part of the first half, enabling the Thunder to extend their lead to 75-49 at halftime.
The Thunder continued their offensive push by matching their season-high for points in a quarter, scoring 44 in the third frame to establish a commanding 119-81 lead.
Key Observations:
The Cavaliers, who are known for their strong defensive strategies, struggled to find solutions against the Thunder’s offense, which flaunted an impressive shooting percentage of 60.3% in the initial three quarters. Although Oklahoma City was without their leading rebounder, Isaiah Hartenstein, who was sidelined due to a calf strain, they proved capable on the boards and excelled in nearly every aspect of the game.
A pivotal moment came when Oklahoma City rattled off an astonishing 30-2 run that spanned from the first quarter into the early second quarter, effectively deciding the game’s tempo and flow. Additionally, a significant statistic highlighted Oklahoma City’s efficiency, as they committed only six turnovers compared to Cleveland’s staggering 21.
Looking forward, the Thunder will travel to Dallas for their next matchup on Friday, while the Cavaliers are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
