The Oklahoma City Thunder sent a strong message about their dominance in the NBA by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 134–114 on Thursday night.
Despite Cleveland winning their previous meeting, the Thunder took control of the game early and never looked back. By the third quarter, they had built an impressive 42-point lead, showcasing their superior performance.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 40 points and eight assists, while Luguentz Dort contributed 22 points, shooting 6-for-9 from beyond the arc. Jalen Williams also had a strong showing with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks.
On the other side, Darius Garland led the Cavs with 20 points and nine assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s dominance. Jarrett Allen and Ty Jerome also made solid contributions, but Donovan Mitchell struggled with just eight points.
With this win, the Thunder now share the best record in the NBA with the Cavaliers at 34–6.
First-quarter knockout
Despite Cleveland initially taking a lead, the Thunder quickly turned the tide with a 22–2 run in the first quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander outscored the entire Cavaliers team in the opening quarter, highlighting his exceptional performance.
Oklahoma City’s dominance continued through the first half, heading into halftime with a comfortable 26-point lead. The team’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc played a significant role in their success.
Despite missing Isaiah Hartenstein due to injury, the Thunder’s frontcourt players stepped up to secure the win. Cleveland will have to regroup before their next game against the Timberwolves, while Oklahoma City prepares for a back-to-back matchup with the Mavericks.