Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Scores 42 as Short-Handed Thunder Beat Cavaliers 124-116

The Oklahoma City Thunder are missing three key players, and they still beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-116 on Wednesday night at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points, his second straight game with at least 40.

The loss dropped Cleveland to 4-4. OKC Thunder Wire noted that the Thunder swept the two-game season series with the Cavaliers.

How the Thunder built a big lead

Oklahoma City dominated from the start. The Thunder led 25-9 early and 37-20 after the first quarter. At one point they were up 50-25, and their lead peaked at 25 points. They led 60-44 at halftime.

Cleveland responded. SB Nation’s Cavs coverage counted an 18-3 run spanning the end of the first half and the start of the second. OKC Thunder Wire reported that the Cavaliers scored the first nine points after halftime. The Thunder still led 88-74 after three quarters and 111-93 with just under four minutes left.

Cleveland scored 42 points in the fourth quarter. Donovan Mitchell hit three big 3-pointers late, but the Cavaliers never got close enough.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s second half

Gilgeous-Alexander had only 10 points at halftime. He scored 32 after the break once Cleveland started to close in.

He finished 11-of-26 from the field, 5-of-11 from 3-point range and 15-of-19 at the free-throw line, with eight assists and four rebounds. According to OKC Thunder Wire, he went back to mid-range jumpers and drives after relying on step-back 3s early. He attempted 10 free throws in the fourth quarter alone.

Bennett Stirtz and Kenrich Williams step up

With Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace all out injured, Oklahoma City needs help from its role players. It got plenty.

• Ajay Mitchell: 23 points and seven rebounds on 9-of-17 shooting.
• Bennett Stirtz: 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3, plus two steals. OKC Thunder Wire called it his best night in the NBA so far.
• Kenrich Williams: 13 points, 10 of them in the first quarter, with 3-of-5 shooting from 3. He started and spent much of the night guarding James Harden.

Alex Caruso returned after missing three games.

Cavaliers player stats and injuries

Reports differ on Harden’s assists. SB Nation’s recap credited him with nine, and OKC Thunder Wire listed six.

Cleveland also took another injury hit. Center Jarrett Allen hurt his knee in the first half and played only seven minutes. Proctor started because Peyton Watson (hamstring) and Jaylon Tyson (ankle) were out, then limped off late with an ankle injury. Neither outlet gave an update on the severity of either injury.

The Cavaliers made 19 of 49 3-pointers. Oklahoma City shot 46% overall, made 15 of 36 3s and went 27-of-35 at the line.

FAQ