Thunder’s Resilience Shines in Victory Over Cavs
In a thrilling contest at the Paycom Center, the Oklahoma City Thunder showcased their depth and determination, overcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-113. Missing three of their top four scorers, the Thunder relied on grit and teamwork to secure the win against a formidable opponent featuring Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
The game started with the Thunder exploding to a 28-5 lead, thanks to their defensive prowess and sharp shooting. Oklahoma City hit eight of their 21 three-point attempts in the first quarter alone, setting the tone early despite the absence of stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
A key storyline was Lu Dort's defensive assignment on Mitchell, a decision that came after a close 6-5 vote among the coaching staff. Dort's tenacity helped limit Mitchell to 20 points on a challenging 9-for-19 shooting night, including 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Cason Wallace took on the task of guarding Harden, who managed 20 points, nine assists, and five rebounds.
Wallace had a standout performance, notching his first career double-double with 20 points, a career-high 10 assists, and three steals. Isaiah Joe led the scoring with 22 points, while the entire starting lineup contributed to the offensive effort, with seven players reaching double figures.
The Thunder’s defense was relentless, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 31 points, a crucial factor in their eight-point victory. Wallace's understanding of his defensive role against the high-scoring Cavs backcourt was pivotal, especially as the team adjusts to new additions like Jared McCain and Nikola Topic.
Reflecting on his approach, Wallace shared, “I come into the game knowing I have a high-level opponent that I have to guard... I got to slow him down first.
Then, offensively, we got so many guys that are good at making plays. So, I can make some plays myself on offense, but those guys help me out a lot on that end.”
Cason Wallace on Thunder’s offense and OKC’s defense against Cavs’ Mitchell & Harden: “It felt like we came out hot had a little bit of momentum early in the game… I gotta slow him down first.
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) February 22, 2026
Then, offensively, we got so many guys that are good at making play” pic.twitter.com/U65bg0x2bR
Next up, the Thunder will head north to face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, looking to build on this impressive team performance.