OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-113 in NBA action on Sunday, powered by 21 three-pointers and strong performances from Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace, and Chet Holmgren, snapping Ohio's seven-game winning streak.
Despite the absences of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain), and Alex Caruso (left ankle sprain), the Thunder found solutions from beyond the arc and capitalized on Cleveland's turnovers to control the game.
Isaiah Joe led the offensive charge with 22 points and six three-pointers, Cason Wallace added 20 points and 10 assists, and Chet Holmgren recorded 17 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks for Oklahoma City (44-14), which made 21 of 41 three-point attempts (51.2%) and converted 17 Cleveland turnovers into 31 points. The opening was decisive: five three-pointers fueled a run that put the Thunder up 28-5, three of them from Joe. Before halftime, the Thunder had made 14 of 22 three-point attempts (63.6%), though Cleveland cut the deficit to 64-55 with a Donovan Mitchell shot at the buzzer.
After the break, the Cavaliers (36-22) responded. Sam Merrill added eight quick points in the third quarter and a short shot from Jared Allen made it 69-68, the first visiting lead. Oklahoma City answered with consecutive three-pointers from Jared McCain and Isaiah Joe (82-75), but Cleveland tied it again with an 11-3 run capped by a Jaylon Tyson three-pointer that made it 86-86.
In the fourth quarter, the Thunder regained control with consecutive three-pointers from Lu Dort, Kenrich Williams, and Cason Wallace (102-95). Then two consecutive blocks from Isaiah Hartenstein, who had 10 points in the final period, extended the lead to 106-98, a margin they would not relinquish. Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Sam Merrill each finished with 20 points for Cleveland, which made 13 of 39 three-pointers (33.3%) and could not complete the comeback.
With this result, the Oklahoma City Thunder solidify their position atop the Western Conference with a record of 44-14, while the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22) see their recent winning streak come to an end.