Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder win over Cavaliers, Digi Mart USA News: Laying his hands on his knees and breathing deeply, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked exhausted after a demanding night. The two-time MVP knows this is part of his grueling mission to keep his squad relevant in the title picture until help arrives, and the Oklahoma City crowd recognized that with MVP chants.
The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their positive momentum with a 124-116 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are adjusting to life without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace for the foreseeable future.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 42 points on 11-of-26 shooting, along with eight assists and four rebounds. He shot 5-of-11 from three-point range, went 15-of-19 from the free-throw line and recorded one block.
After just 10 points in the first half, Gilgeous-Alexander took over. He stopped settling for step-back three-pointers and quickly reminded fans why he is part of the conversation for the best player in the world, as Cleveland cut Oklahoma City’s lead from more than 20 points to single digits.
He scored 32 points in the second half and forced the Cavaliers to give up his highest free-throw total of the season.
“I’ve taken what they’ve been giving me. I’ve just been able to find shots, shots that I like,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“Whether they go in or out, I’m going to take them when I find shots that I like. In the past two games, I’ve just happened to find more than usual.”
The Thunder will likely need Gilgeous-Alexander to play at this level for the next two months. He has scored 85 points over the last two games, and the team has continued to find ways to win despite its injuries.
“Regardless, winning in the NBA is very hard. I feel the same way.
Now, I said last game, it’s been a different challenge to go win the games,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But this group, over the past years, no matter who’s out there, has found a way to go do that.
No matter what. We’ve been able to do so the last two nights.”
