AFP – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder avenged last week’s defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers with a crushing 134-114 victory in a lopsided clash between the league-leading NBA rivals.
Gilgeous-Alexander produced a dazzling all-round performance to bag the 18th 40-point game of his career, overwhelming a shell-shocked Cavs line-up at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The 26-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 40 points, eight assists and three rebounds, the standout performance in a blowout that no one saw coming.
Luguentz Dort offered offensive support with 22 points, including six-of-nine from three-point range. Jalen Williams added 19 points. Darius Garland led Cleveland’s scoring with 20 points, while Donovan Mitchell was restricted to just eight points.
The result leaves Oklahoma City and Cleveland with identical records of 34-6 at the top of their respective conferences.
Gilgeous-Alexander sought to play down the significance of the victory after the final buzzer.
“Tonight was a good performance. We did the things we were supposed to do,” the Canadian point guard told broadcaster TNT television. “But for us, it was just another night of basketball, another night of competing together, another night of being competitive.
“It happened to be a hype game. It happened to be on TV. But for us, we’re at home in front of the best fans in the NBA. We gave it our all and the outcome was the outcome.”
Gilgeous-Alexander admitted the Thunder took satisfaction from handing out such a comprehensive defeat against a team that prior to Thursday had the best record in the league. “It’s the cream of the crop and obviously you want to test yourself against the best to find out where you really are,” he said. “We tested ourselves and I think we passed.”
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson blamed “uncharacteristic” defensive blunders for his team’s loss. “They imposed their will in every sense. Turned us over, and then we couldn’t stop them. But it starts with the turnovers, which is uncharacteristic of us,” Atkinson said.
