OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their impressive run, overcoming a slow start and the absence of key players to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-113 on Friday night. The victory snapped a seven-game winning streak for Cleveland, while the Thunder demonstrated resilience and depth in securing the win.
Both teams entered the contest without their respective stars. For Oklahoma City, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Star Jalen Williams remained sidelined due to injury. Despite these absences, the Thunder surged to a commanding lead in the first quarter, scoring 40 points and building a 23-point advantage at one point.
The Cavaliers, fueled by their home crowd, initially responded, closing the gap in the second quarter. A quick 6-0 run to start the game was answered by a strong push from Oklahoma City, who exited the first quarter with a 32-25 lead. Kenrich Williams contributed a mid-range jumper to give the Thunder a nine-point lead, but Cleveland battled back, fueled by Dean Wade and Darius Garland’s three-pointers. The first half concluded with the Cavaliers trailing 62-59.
Cleveland briefly took the lead early in the third quarter, with James Harden successfully converting two attempts against Jarrett Allen. However, the Thunder quickly regained control with a 7-0 run and never relinquished their advantage. Oklahoma City’s ability to respond to Cleveland’s surges proved crucial in securing the victory.
Isaiah Joe led the Thunder in scoring with 22 points, while Cason Wallace delivered a standout performance, contributing 20 points and 10 assists. Wallace’s ability to facilitate the offense and create scoring opportunities was instrumental in overcoming the absence of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams.
German forward Isaiah Hartenstein also had a significant impact for Oklahoma City, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. His efficient scoring and rebounding provided a valuable boost to the Thunder’s offense and defense.
For the Cavaliers, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and Caris LeVert each scored 20 points. Dennis Schröder, also a German national, contributed 11 points and seven assists off the bench for Cleveland. Despite the balanced scoring effort, the Cavaliers were unable to overcome the Thunder’s consistent performance and strong start.
The win for Oklahoma City comes on the heels of a recent stretch where they won 14 consecutive games, before a loss to the Cavaliers on January 8th, 2025, ended that streak. That previous loss, a 129-122 defeat, was a hard-fought contest featuring 30 lead changes and eight ties, highlighting the competitive nature of both teams.
The Cavaliers face a quick turnaround, hosting the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Both teams are currently positioned as neighbors in the Eastern Conference standings, making the matchup particularly important. The Thunder will also be in action on Wednesday, traveling to Toronto to take on the Raptors.
This victory for the Thunder underscores their ability to compete at a high level even when facing adversity. The team’s depth and resilience have been key factors in their success this season, and they will look to continue their winning ways as they navigate a challenging schedule.
The absence of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams continues to be a storyline for the Thunder, but the team has consistently demonstrated its ability to overcome these challenges. The performances of players like Joe, Wallace, and Hartenstein have been crucial in maintaining the team’s competitive edge.
For the Cavaliers, the loss marks the end of a promising winning streak. While the team showed flashes of brilliance, they were ultimately unable to contain the Thunder’s offensive firepower and consistent execution. The upcoming game against the Knicks will be a crucial test for Cleveland as they look to rebound from this defeat.
