Hot topics close

Cavaliers end Thunder's 15-game win streak, extend their own ESPN

Cavaliers end Thunders 15game win streak extend their own ESPN
The Cavaliers ended Oklahoma City's 15-game winning streak by beating the Thunder 129-122 on Wednesday night in a marquee meeting between the NBA's top two teams.
  • Associated Press

Jan 8, 2025, 09:53 PM ET
Open Extended Reactions

CLEVELAND -- Jarrett Allen scored 25 points, Evan Mobley added 21 and the Cleveland Cavaliers ended Oklahoma City's 15-game winning streak by beating the Thunder 129-122 on Wednesday night in a marquee meeting between the NBA's top two teams.

The Cavs extended their winning streak to 11, improved the league's best record to 32-4 -- 11-0 against the West -- and moved to 19-1 at home. They did it on an off night for leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, who had just 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Jalen Williams had 25 for the Thunder in their first loss since Dec. 1.

Though it's only January and there's a lot of basketball ahead, the game's intensity had all the vibes of a Finals matchup in June. There were 30 lead changes and neither team led by more than nine.

Editor's Picks

2 Related

The matchup was only the third in NBA history between teams riding double-digit winning streaks. The last time it happened was Jan. 26, 1995, when the Seattle SuperSonics and Utah Jazz entered their game each on 10-game winning streaks.

Gilgeous-Alexander is the team's undisputed star, but Oklahoma City has some nice pieces. Center Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists.

Cleveland showed its balance, depth and that it can get by when Mitchell isn't on. Mobley and Allen combined for 22 rebounds and 13 assists.

With Cleveland up 125-122, Mitchell was called for a loose-ball foul with 1:19 left. The Cavs challenged and the call was reversed by replay review. Mobley then hit a 10-footer in the lane to put Cleveland up by five.

Only four teams have posted a better record through 36 games than Cleveland: Golden State (34-2) in 2015-16, Philadelphia (33-3) in 1966-67, the Los Angeles Lakers (33-3) in 1971-72 and Chicago (33-3) in 1995-96.

Similar shots
  • Cavs Win
  • Strus Couldn39t Cash  Celtics OverUnder HEARTBREAK fanduel nba sportsbettingcavs celtics
News Archive
  • Fred Rogers
    Fred Rogers
    Mr. Rogers was a televangelist to toddlers
    23 Nov 2019
    3
  • Robert Bowers
    Robert Bowers
    Pittsburgh synagogue shooter sentenced to death, jury says
    2 Aug 2023
    3
  • Target Cyber Monday
    Target Cyber Monday
    Target Cyber Monday Sale: Our 7 Absolute Favorite Deals to Shop
    29 Nov 2021
    1
  • Purple iPhone 12
    Purple iPhone 12
    The best Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile deals for the purple Apple iPhone 12 and iPad Pro with 5G
    21 Apr 2021
    1
  • Honduras vs Mexico
    Honduras vs Mexico
    Goals and Highlights: Mexico 4-0 Honduras in Gold Cup 2023
    21 Nov 2023
    4
  • Jeff Lebby
    Jeff Lebby
    How Jeff Lebby can help with recruiting top wide receivers
    26 Nov 2023
    1