Gilgeous-Alexander scores 43, Thunder beat Cavaliers 117-112

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 points, including a step-back 3-pointer that broke a tie in the final minute, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-112 on Monday, November 2.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 14 of 35 shots, 4 of 8 from 3-point range, and 11 of 12 free throws, with 8 assists. His 24-foot step-back with 32.6 seconds left put the Thunder ahead 115-112, one possession after Cleveland had tied it.

Oklahoma City (5-2) won on the road in a game with 19 lead changes and nine ties, after both the markets and our projection had made Cleveland the favorite. The Cavaliers (4-3) led by five late in the first quarter, at 30-25.

The Thunder took control in the second quarter, outscoring Cleveland 33-18. They led by 14 at 69-55 early in the third quarter before the Cavaliers scored 36 points in the period to pull back into the game.

The final five minutes began with the Thunder up 105-104. Isaiah Hartenstein's floater off a Gilgeous-Alexander pass tied it 109-109, Ajay Mitchell pulled up from 14 feet for a 112-109 lead, and Sam Merrill answered with a 3-pointer from Donovan Mitchell to tie it at 112.

After Gilgeous-Alexander's step-back, Ajay Mitchell made two free throws with 15.4 seconds left for the final margin. He finished with 20 points and went 6 of 6 at the line. Hartenstein scored five points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Donovan Mitchell had 17 points and 11 assists for a double-double, but he made 6 of 17 shots and 1 of 4 free throws. Meleek Thomas also scored 17 and Evan Mobley added 16. Cleveland played without Peyton Watson, out with right hamstring tightness and soreness, and Jaylon Tyson, out with a right ankle sprain.

The free throw line separated the teams. Oklahoma City made 21 of 23, Cleveland 14 of 24. The Thunder also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds to the Cavaliers' 11, while Cleveland made 18 3-pointers on 49 attempts.

Oklahoma City outscored Cleveland 12-8 over the final five minutes.

Up next

Thunder: home against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, November 4.

Cavaliers: at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, November 4.