Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 of his 42 points in each of the final two quarters as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 124-116 on Wednesday.
The Thunder completed a home-and-home sweep against the Cavaliers, having won by five in Cleveland on Monday.
This one wasn’t nearly as close, though a late Cavaliers push narrowed the gap at the end.
The Thunder were on top from start to finish, building a lead as big as 25 points in the first half.
Oklahoma City took control with a 25-7 run in the first quarter that included eight points from rookie Bennett Stirtz.
By midway through the second, the Thunder were up 50-25.
Cleveland cut the deficit to seven in the opening minutes of the second half thanks to seven quick points from James Harden and a bucket from Donovan Mitchell.
But coming out of an Oklahoma City timeout, Gilgeous-Alexander took over.
In the first half, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player mainly worked along the perimeter, with seven of his 12 shots coming from beyond the 3-point arc.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit a mid-range jumper to halt Cleveland’s run, then assisted on back-to-back buckets on drives to the basket before hitting a fadeaway jumper and a step-back 3-pointer.
The Cavaliers never were closer than eight again until the final minute. Gilgeous-Alexander sank six free throws in the final 41 seconds to help keep the Thunder in front.
Though the Thunder remain without three starters — Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace — they did get key bench contributor Alex Caruso back after he missed three games due to an ankle injury.
Caruso’s defense played a big role in the Thunder helping hold the Cavaliers to a season-low 43% shooting from the floor.
Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell tossed in 23 points, while Stirtz wound up with a career-high 16.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting while Harden added 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Evan Mobley totaled 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Late in the first quarter, Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen sustained a right knee injury as he collided with Jared McCain while setting a screen. Allen left the game and did not return. He finished scoreless in seven minutes.
