Gilgeous-Alexander has 35, leads Thunder past Cavs 112-100

Updated Jan. 27, 2023 10:30 p.m. ET

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, his fourth consecutive with at least 30, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-100 on Friday night.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 12 of 21 shots and added eight assists and five rebounds. Jalen Williams added 17 points and made all three of his 3-point attempts.

Darius Garland had 31 points and 13 assists for Cleveland, which played again without All-Star Donovan Mitchell because of a groin injury.

The Thunder won for the sixth time in eight games as they content for a Western Conference play-in berth, while the Cavaliers finished their three-game road swing at 30-21.

The Thunder jumped out to an early lead before Cleveland’s imposing frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen slowed Oklahoma City’s attack.

Cleveland led 54-47 at halftime, despite shooting an abysmal 3 of 16 from 3-point range.

The Thunder erased the deficit to enter the fourth quarter tied at 78 and outscored Cleveland 34-22 in the final 12 minutes to run away with the win.

Josh Giddey had 15 points for the Thunder, while Aaron Wiggins netted 10 and grabbed seven boards.

The Thunder shot 52.6% from the floor, while Cleveland finished at 44.3% and made just 8 of 29 attempts from 3. Oklahoma City outrebounded Cleveland 46-37.

TIP-INS

Thunder: Starting guard Lu Dort, who’s averaging 14.1 points and 4.2 rebounds this season, missed Friday’s game with a hamstring injury. … Coach Mark Daigneault drew his third technical foul of the season following Cleveland’s early 10-0 run, which erased the Thunder’s early 12-4 advantage.

Cavaliers: The Cavaliers were also without Kevin Love (back). ... Ricky Rubio took Friday night off after playing 17 minutes in a 113-95 win over the Rockets on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: Host Clippers on Sunday night.

Thunder: Host Warriors on Monday night.