Shai’s 42 Keeps Thunder Perfect at Home Against Cleveland

Oklahoma City won 124-116 on Wednesday, Nov. 4, earlier tonight, after opening a 17-point first-quarter cushion. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 42 points on 11-of-26 shooting, including 5-of-11 from three and 15-of-19 at the line, with 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 0 steals, 1 block and 4 turnovers. Ajay Mitchell added 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting (1-of-3 from three, 4-of-6 free throws), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks and 1 turnover, while Bennett Stirtz hit 6-of-9 shots and 4-of-7 threes for 16 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals, 0 blocks and no turnovers. The Thunder’s 37-20 first quarter set the tone, and they carried a 60-44 lead into halftime before Cleveland outscored them 30-28 in the third. Donovan Mitchell scored 27 on 10-of-17 shooting (5-of-10 from three, 2-of-2 free throws), with 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks and 2 turnovers; James Harden had 19 on 5-of-16 shooting (3-of-8 from three, 6-of-6 free throws), plus 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 steals, 2 blocks and 3 turnovers. Evan Mobley posted 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 3 blocks and 2 turnovers, but Cleveland’s 42-36 fourth-quarter edge only cut the final margin to eight.