Cleveland Cavaliers End Oklahoma City Thunder’s Streak with 129-122 Victory

In a highly anticipated clash between the two best teams in the 2024-25 NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers delivered a statement win, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 129-122. The Cavaliers’ victory pushed their record to 32-4, including a 19-1 home record, while the Thunder, despite a strong performance, dropped to 30-6.

Game Recap:

The game started with the Cavaliers jumping to a quick 6-0 lead, only for the Thunder to respond with five unanswered points, signaling what would be an intense back-and-forth contest. The Thunder claimed the first quarter 32-25, surprising Cleveland in front of their home crowd.

Cleveland, however, quickly regrouped in the second quarter. The Cavs started the period with a 10-7 run, narrowing the Thunder’s lead to just four points at 39-35, forcing Oklahoma City to call a timeout. Cleveland dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Thunder 37-27, and went into halftime leading 62-59. The period ended with a thunderous two-handed dunk from Donovan Mitchell, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Second Half:

The third quarter was the highest-scoring period of the game, with a combined 84 points. Despite Cleveland’s strong play, the Thunder edged them out 43-41 in the quarter. The game remained close, but the Cavaliers took control in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 26-20 advantage to seal the win.

Player Highlights:

Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 25 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, showcasing his all-around game. Evan Mobley added 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Darius Garland contributed 18 points and seven assists. Despite an off night from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 11 points on 3-for-16 shooting, the Cavaliers’ collective effort was too much for Oklahoma City.

Cleveland’s bench played a crucial role, with Max Strus scoring 17 points and Ty Jerome adding 15 points, helping the Cavs outscore the Thunder’s bench 43-26.

On the Thunder’s side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 31 points, and Jalen Williams added 25 points and nine rebounds. Isaiah Hartenstein had a strong all-around performance with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.

Final Thoughts:

Despite a valiant effort from the Thunder, including Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31-point outing, the Cavaliers’ offensive depth and efficient play ultimately proved too much. The Cavs are now 32-4, further solidifying their place at the top of the Eastern Conference. The two teams will meet again on January 16 in Oklahoma City for a rematch that promises to be just as thrilling.