Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a season-high 43 points on Monday night, November 2, 2026, lifting the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 117-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland — the first game of a two-game home-and-home set, with the rematch coming Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot 14-of-35 from the field, including 4-of-8 from three, and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line, adding 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and a block in about 39 minutes. He capped the night with a step-back three with 32.6 seconds left to break a tie and give OKC the lead for good, in a fourth quarter that featured eight ties and eight lead changes.
The 35 field-goal attempts matched both his career high and the NBA season high. It was also his seventh straight 30-point game against Cleveland, matching Tracy McGrady’s mark from 2003–2006 for the longest such streak against the franchise.
The win ended a two-game skid and moved OKC to 5-2 — all the more impressive given the missing pieces. The Thunder played without three starters: Chet Holmgren (right patellar tendon tear), Jalen Williams (fractured left fibula, dislocated ankle) and Cason Wallace (torn left labrum).
Cleveland fell to 4-3 and lost at home for the first time in four games. With the rematch looming in Oklahoma City, the two-game set now looks like an early-season rivalry to watch.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.