Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a dominant display with 40 points and eight assists in just three quarters, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a resounding 134-114 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night in a battle of the NBA’s top teams. The Western Conference-leading Thunder (34-6) handed the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers (34-6) their worst loss of the season, avenging a 129-122 defeat in their first meeting earlier this month.
The Thunder were unstoppable from the opening tip, closing the first quarter with a blistering 22-2 run to take a commanding 32-14 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in the opening period and added another 11 during a three-minute stretch late in the first half to push Oklahoma City’s lead to 75-49 at halftime. The Thunder’s offense peaked in the third quarter, matching their season high with 44 points and extending the lead to 119-81.
Lu Dort contributed a season-high 22 points, and Jalen Williams added 19 as Oklahoma City won its fourth straight game. Despite missing their leading rebounder, Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder held their own on the boards and excelled in nearly every other facet of the game, including forcing 21 Cleveland turnovers while committing just six themselves.
Cleveland, one of the NBA’s premier defensive teams, had no answers for Oklahoma City’s relentless attack. Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 20 points and nine assists, but Donovan Mitchell, the team’s top scorer, was held to just eight points on 3-for-15 shooting.
Oklahoma City shot 60.3% through three quarters and showcased their depth and resilience, dominating the game despite being shorthanded. The Thunder’s stunning 30-2 run from the first quarter into the early second set the tone, solidifying their place as the best team in the Western Conference. Let’s provide a grade for every Thunder player who made the court.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A+
Stats: 40 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 8 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 17-26 FG, 1-5 3PT, 5-5 FT, +32, 29 MIN
Shai put on a masterclass, scoring 40 points in just 29 minutes on an efficient 17-of-26 shooting. He dominated the Cavaliers’ defense with relentless drives, mid-range jumpers, and sharp playmaking, adding eight assists to his tally. His two steals further highlighted his two-way impact, and his +32 rating underscored his critical role in dismantling the Eastern Conference leaders.
Luguentz Dort: A
Stats: 22 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 8-11 FG, 6-9 3PT, 0-0 FT, +12, 20 MIN
Dort delivered one of his best performances of the season, scoring 22 points while shooting an impressive 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. His energy on both ends of the floor was evident, as he contributed a steal, a block, and forced turnovers that fueled the Thunder’s fast-paced offense. His efficiency and defensive presence set the tone early in the game.
Jalen Williams: A
Stats: 19 PTS, 6 REB (1 OREB, 5 DREB), 5 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 8-14 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, +29, 30 MIN
Williams showcased his all-around game with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. He was a disruptive force defensively while hitting big shots and making plays for his teammates. His two blocks and +29 plus/minus emphasized his importance to the Thunder’s dominant effort.
Isaiah Joe: B
Stats: 12 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 4-7 FG, 4-7 3PT, 0-0 FT, +14, 21 MIN
Joe provided a spark off the bench, hitting 4-of-7 from three-point range to finish with 12 points. His sharpshooting stretched the Cavaliers’ defense and gave Oklahoma City consistent scoring during key stretches. Despite limited contributions in other areas, his shooting efficiency was a valuable asset.
Branden Carlson: B
Stats: 11 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 4-8 FG, 3-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, 17 MIN
Carlson had an effective night with 11 points and 4 rebounds, including a strong showing from beyond the arc at 3-of-6. His ability to space the floor and knock down shots gave the Thunder additional offensive options, complementing their high-powered offense.
Alex Caruso: B
Stats: 10 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 2 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 3-3 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +19, 14 MIN
Caruso played just 14 minutes but made his presence felt with 10 points on perfect shooting (3-of-3 from the field, 2-of-2 from deep). He also recorded 3 steals, showcasing his defensive instincts and providing a boost in transition opportunities for the Thunder.
Cason Wallace: C+
Stats: 6 PTS, 6 REB (0 OREB, 6 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 3-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, +13, 27 MIN
Wallace had a quiet night offensively with just 6 points, but he contributed in other ways, grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing 2 assists. His defensive positioning and effort on the boards helped the Thunder maintain their intensity, even if his scoring output was modest.
Jaylin Williams: C+
Stats: 5 PTS, 5 REB (2 OREB, 3 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 4 PF, 2-6 FG, 1-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +6, 14 MIN
Jaylin added 5 points and 5 rebounds while battling in the paint. Though his shooting was inconsistent at 2-of-6, he provided hustle plays and physicality, contributing to the Thunder’s dominance on the glass.
Aaron Wiggins: C+
Stats: 4 PTS, 5 REB (2 OREB, 3 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 2-8 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, +8, 33 MIN
Wiggins struggled with his shot, going 2-of-8 for just 4 points, but he contributed in other areas with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. His versatility and effort were evident, even if his scoring touch was lacking on the night.
Kenrich Williams: C
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, 12 MIN
Kenrich had a quiet performance, finishing with 2 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists in 12 minutes. While his impact was limited, he made a few solid defensive plays and moved the ball well when on the court.
Ousmane Dieng: N/A
Stats: 3 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, -9, 9 MIN
Dieng played just 9 minutes, scoring 3 points and grabbing 2 rebounds. He had little time to make a significant impact but showed flashes of activity on the boards and in transition.
Alex Ducas: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -12, 7 MIN
Ducas logged 7 minutes and contributed just 1 rebound while missing his only shot attempt. He struggled to find rhythm in his limited time on the court.
Adam Flagler: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-9 FG, 0-8 3PT, 0-0 FT, -12, 7 MIN
Flagler had a tough outing, going scoreless on 0-of-9 shooting, including 0-of-8 from three-point range. His lone highlight was a block, but his shooting woes contributed to a forgettable night in limited minutes.
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