Player grades: SGA’s 35 points enough to get past Donovan Mitchell-less Cavs in 112-100 win

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder used a 21-8 fourth-quarter flurry to get past the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 112-100 win.

The run was led by a lineup that never played a single second together until tonight with the game tied at 78-78 to start the fourth quarter.

The Giddey-Joe-Kenrich-Bazley-Muscala lineup outscored the Cavaliers 16-8.

By the time leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander checked in, he had an eight-point cushion to work with. By the end of the game, Gilgeous-Alexander finished with an efficient 35 points.

The Thunder enjoyed an efficient offensive performance. They shot 40-of-76 (52.6%) from the field and 10-of-18 (55.6%) from 3. They also enjoyed a busy night at the free-throw line, going 22-of-25 (88%).

Despite being massively outsized in the frontcourt, the Thunder held their own inside the paint, only being outscored 56-50 by the Cavaliers. The Thunder also surprisingly out-rebounded the Cavaliers, 46-37.

It was a back-and-forth game for the most part, with neither team leading by more than 15 points. After scoring 54 points in the first half, the Cavaliers were held to just 46 points in the second half — including just 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Without Donovan Mitchell out, Darius Garland picked up the slack for his All-Star starting teammate. Garland finished with 31 points and 13 assists. This included 23 of those points coming in the second half

The other Cavaliers player with a huge night was Evan Mobley, who finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds — although, he was held to just five points in the second half.

Considering the significant size disadvantage between the starting frontcourts of Mobley and Jarrett Allen to Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams, the Thunder did a phenomenal job of not allowing the Cavaliers to spam shots inside the paint.

Funny enough, the Thunder actually out-shot the Cavaliers inside the paint, going 25-of-47 (53.2%) compared to them going 28-of-49 (57.1%).

As the home crowds grow larger by the game, the Thunder continue to make it worth their time with fun and impressive wins like Friday’s — even with the Cavaliers missing Mitchell.

“It’s been great. Fans have been incredible all year long,” Kenrich Williams said. “Us winning games is gonna draw attention… We got the best fans in the league.”

Let’s take a look at Thunder player grades.

Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Another game, another A-plus performance for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

This time around, Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting and went 10-of-11 from the free-throw line with nine of those attempts coming in the first quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander also added eight assists, five rebounds and two steals.

What makes this highly-efficient 30-plus point performance more impressive than mosts is it was against the second-best defensive-rated team in the league.

The Cavaliers defense is manned by their lengthy frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Despite that, Gilgeous-Alexander still went a respectable 8-of-13 from inside the paint for 16 points.

No matter what opposing defenses throw at Gilgeous-Alexander, he continues to put up huge scoring number games. A true indicator of a true superstar player.

Between the defender’s legs?! Falling down?! HOW?!😳 pic.twitter.com/8w5SBeMO2A

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 28, 2023

🚨 Shai steps back to beat the buzzer! pic.twitter.com/lSkNdHrhTl

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 28, 2023

AANNDDD ONNEEEEE 🗣️@okcthunder | #ThunderUp | 📺:BSOK pic.twitter.com/KJ1cjRD1cX

— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) January 28, 2023

Who else but SGA to get us started 💪

There’s a new option to watch the Thunder. Learn More: https://t.co/YioxgSU4nH@okcthunder | #ThunderUp | 📺:BSOK pic.twitter.com/3AIQQQ28X5

— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) January 28, 2023

Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Friday showed a glimpse into what will happen once Jalen Williams’ three-pointer eventually falls.

Entering the game, Williams struggled from outside, shooting 29.3% from 3. Perhaps Friday could be the turning point as he went a perfect 3-of-3 from 3.

Overall, Williams finished with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and three rebounds. This included arguably the best dunk of the Thunder season that saw Williams curl his way into a cutting dunk on two Cavs defenders.

Williams now has 50 dunks on the season and it feels safe to say he’ll have at least one impressive dunk a game at this point.

OH MY GOODNESS IT HAPPENED AGAIN 😱@okcthunder | #ThunderUp | 📺:BSOK pic.twitter.com/CwxwtA6fMY

— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) January 28, 2023