11/02/2026 08:52:00
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11/02 20:51 CST Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 43 points, hits go-ahead
3-pointer in Thunder's 117-112 win over Cavs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 43 points, hits go-ahead 3-pointer in Thunder's
117-112 win over Cavs
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) --- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-high 43 points and
made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 32.6 seconds remaining as the Oklahoma City
Thunder defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-112 on Monday night in the first
of a two-game set.
Gilgeous-Alexander attempted 35 shots, the most in the NBA during the first two
weeks of the season, and made 14. He was 11 of 12 from the free-throw line in
38 minutes as the injury-depleted Thunder bounced back after two straight road
losses by 20-plus points.
The fourth quarter saw eight ties and eight lead changes before
Gilgeous-Alexander drilled his fourth 3-pointer. Cleveland's Sam Merrill missed
a perimeter shot from the corner before Ajay Mitchell made it a two-possession
game by sinking two free throws with 15.4 seconds remaining.
Oklahoma City has been reeling since the loss of three starters to long-term
injuries. Mitchell scored 20 and Isaiah Hartenstein pulled down 14 rebounds.
Gilgeous-Alexander matched his highest scoring total in 17 games against the
Cavaliers.
Rookie Meleek Thomas, making his first NBA start, and Donovan Mitchell led
Cleveland with 17 points apiece. Mitchell also had 11 assists and Evan Mobley
had 16 points.
It was the Cavaliers' first loss at home in four games this season.
The first half had 15 lead changes and two ties before the Thunder went on a
16-6 run over the last five minutes of the second quarter to take a 59-48 lead
at halftime.
Gilgeous-Alexander made a pair of free throws to give Oklahoma City a 69-55
advantage with 9:26 remaining in the third. The Cavaliers battled back by going
9 of 17 from beyond the arc in the quarter.
Cleveland opened the fourth on an 18-9 run but could not sustain its momentum.
Up next
The teams meet again on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
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