Thunder vs. Cavaliers: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

Joe Gabriele @CavsJoeG
#Cavs win ugly, top OKC for second time in a week – 94-87; have now won 7 of 9; improve to 13-9 vs. West; CLE, 46%FG, 6-27 3ptFG, 18-35 FT; CLE, 23 T.O.; teams combined for 35pts in 4Q; reb: CLE, 54, OKC, 41; 3 CLE starters w/dbl-dbls. pic.twitter.com/193MrQBJZz – 10:41 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
A win is a win. #LetEmKnow – 10:40 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Final from the road trip. pic.twitter.com/sLY9VvT2Ay – 10:38 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Josh Giddey has fouled out.
By the way, Tre Mann picked up four fouls in seven minutes, and he only played two more minutes after that. – 10:35 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Big-time game for SGA. He’s played 38 minutes, and has 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. – 10:33 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
pic.twitter.com/CZKhavBuyp – 10:27 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
3VAN 👌
@Evan Mobley | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/2VFhe8PdyF – 10:25 PM

Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
Bruh this fourth quarter… #Cavs have scored 8 points. OKC… 10 points. – 10:21 PM

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
So Kevin Love, every Cleveland Cavaliers fan in attendance and the refs think Lu Dort has eyes in the back of his head?
I mean, yeah, he plays defense like he does, but he doesn’t literally. – 10:10 PM

Serena Winters @SerenaWinters
Dort gets a Flagrant-2 and is ejected after that blatant elbow to Kevin Love. – 10:10 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Lu Dort is going to get tossed for that one. Completely lost his cool and just decked Kevin Love. – 10:07 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Kevin Love and Lu Dort get into a bit of a skirmish here in the fourth quarter. Love seemed to take exception to Dort swinging toward him, as he tried to wrestle the ball away. – 10:06 PM

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Kevin Love vs Lu Dort: pic.twitter.com/ZpV22YXXdc – 10:06 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Didn’t expect this one to get chippy. Kevin Love took issue with Dort, and then Giddey joined the party. Only caught the end. pic.twitter.com/RrzJ0NVjFC – 10:06 PM

Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
What the heck is Kevin Love going to do against Lu Dort? Give me a break – 10:05 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Tonight we celebrate community “DIFF” maker Gio Santiago for his passion and efforts to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals feel empowered and supported.
Thank you, Gio, for being the DIFF! pic.twitter.com/wFlLeapqVE – 10:00 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
sorry @Exhoopsmc, but @_mdiakite is all over it 😎 pic.twitter.com/ctq3ixbMim – 9:59 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Not sure how, but the Thunder is sticking around. Five-point game with 10:30 left. – 9:54 PM

Jon Hamm @JonMHamm
Aaron Wiggins made a fantastic play and was sent to the floor in a heap by Cedi Osman. Thank goodness it was Osman and not Grayson Allen… – 9:54 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
We’ve got three double-doubles! #LetEmKnow – 9:53 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
him.
@Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/9PJ955cUYK – 9:52 PM

Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs have built a 10-point lead at the end of the third, leading OKC 78-68. Cavs have their best offensive quarter with 31 points.
Three players with double-doubles:
Darius Garland: 17 pts and 10 assists
Evan Mobley: 12 pts and 14 rebounds
Jarrett Allen: 14 pts and 11 rebounds – 9:50 PM

Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Logo Shai. – 9:47 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Pass. Pass. Pass. Pass. C3DI. 🔥
@Cedi Osman | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/O8qSec5IXM – 9:44 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Lauri Markkanen leaves game with sprained right ankle
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/01/l… – 9:41 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
nbd for the NBA’s leader in drives per game
@Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/w67CQjVZ3u – 9:36 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
We love our point guard 😂
RETWEET to send @Darius Garland to #NBAAllStar! pic.twitter.com/C7qNe4aZdr – 9:31 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
He’s not a household name…… yet…. But OKC’s Josh Giddey has a fabulous handle and has an incredible feel for the game. Terrific passer and plays with some “ Pistol Pete” flair. – 9:24 PM

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Watched a little Packers-49ers during the OKC halftime but I wanted to watch the best passer on TV right now and switched back to Josh Giddey and the Thunder game. – 9:21 PM

Joe Gabriele @CavsJoeG
#Cavs F Lauri Markkanen will not return tonight. – 9:21 PM

Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs Lauri Markkanen (right ankle sprain) will not return tonight. – 9:19 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
got a good one going pic.twitter.com/3m5uZ2ZMYj – 9:18 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
A source tells @clevelanddotcom that #Cavs are looking at Lauri Markkanen’s right ankle in the locker room. Not knee or Achilles. The initial feel is that it’s a pretty good sprain. – 9:16 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Shai shook him off the screen 🤭
@Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/sVxwbgDmby – 9:14 PM

Joe Gabriele @CavsJoeG
Not the #Cavs sharpest half of season – lead OKC, 47-45; 7 ties, 6 lead-changes; CLE, 43%FG, 3-16 3ptFG, 6-11FT; pts in paint: CLE, 26, OKC, 18; Mobley, 10pt, 4-7FG, 7reb; Allen, 10pt, 5-7FG, 7reb, 2asst, blk; Markkanen, 9pt, 3-4 3ptFG, left gm in 2Q after apparent ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/0LLaleJ2sw – 9:11 PM

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Kenrich Williams told @Joe Mussatto hopes he can play his entire career in OKC.
If he does, it’s gonna be fun to see what level of effort Playoff Kenny Hustle goes to. pic.twitter.com/ma0UeyNbQo – 9:11 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Still up two after two.
@socios | #LetEmKnow – 9:08 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Speaking of Kenrich Williams, a halftime read on his desire to stay in OKC: oklahoman.com/story/sports/n… – 9:07 PM

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Always seems like there are two Kenrich Williams’s on the court at all times. – 9:06 PM

Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
At the end of the first half, #Cavs lead 47-45.
Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen both lead the Cavs with 10 points and 7 rebounds. – 9:06 PM

Jon Hamm @JonMHamm
I like to think Kenrich Williams personally un-stuck the Thunder’s bus in Charlotte late last night and personally piloted the plane to Cleveland – 9:06 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Watch until the end 😂
@Isaac Okoro | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/r0kmaWgZhR – 9:05 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Kenrich Williams with two offensive rebounds and then he cashes a three. They don’t call him Ken Hustle for nothin’. – 9:05 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Another poster in the collection.
@Jarrett Allen | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/8nG6aV7HRh – 9:03 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
THERE GOES THAT MAN.
@Jarrett Allen | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/0mADLrype0 – 9:02 PM

Serena Winters @SerenaWinters
Prayers up to Lauri Markkanen, who came down incredibly hard on his right ankle & was helped off the floor by teammates.
Will update you when I know more. pic.twitter.com/TCkexumo0k – 9:02 PM

Joe Gabriele @CavsJoeG
#Cavs F Lauri Markkanen contested an OKC shot and came down awkwardly on right ankle; was down for a while and was helped to the #Cavs locker room.
Updates to follow … – 8:59 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Lauri Markkanen assisted off the court by two teammates. Putting very little weight on his right leg. It looked bad on replay and Markkanen was in a lot of pain. – 8:59 PM

Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs Lauri Markkanen went down on the court, with the entire team surrounding him. Cedi Osman and Dean Wade are helping him off the floor at the moment, heading back to the locker room. – 8:58 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
💯 made 3’s on the season so far
@luthebeast | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/F7VfVvpFKB – 8:56 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has gone silent. #Cavs Lauri Markkanen is still down after landing awkwardly on his right leg. – 8:56 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Lauri Markkanen is down and in a lot of pain. The whole Cavs team is huddled around him. – 8:56 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
rainin’ in The Land
@Aaron Wiggins | @Tre Mann pic.twitter.com/U2OMPnxtoM – 8:49 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
Tre Mann has four fouls in seven minutes for the Thunder. Impressive … – 8:49 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Tre Mann, stunningly, has four fouls in seven minutes. – 8:49 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Showing his range 🎯
RETWEET to send @Evan Mobley to #NBAAllStar! pic.twitter.com/KPpSVfLLMJ – 8:47 PM

Jon Hamm @JonMHamm
I remember only the fun Tre Mann moments and none of the learning miscues – 8:44 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
need to *save* a possession?
call @Aaron Wiggins 📲 pic.twitter.com/l6mtlp46O0 – 8:42 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
One down. #LetEmKnow – 8:40 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
That’ll count!
@Cedi Osman | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/SfGHl8sagO – 8:40 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs with 9 assists on 10 made shots. Sharing the wealth. Potential All-Star Darius Garland has 5 dimes. Evan Mobley leads the team in scoring with 7 points. Cavs lead Thunder, 24-22, in a uniform matchup that has me thinking of Halloween. pic.twitter.com/Z2H69lP6I1 – 8:39 PM

Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
At the end of the first, #Cavs lead OKC 24-22. Cleveland scored 18 of their 24 points in the paint.
Evan Mobley has 7 pts and 4 rebounds. Darius Garland is scoreless but has 5 assists. – 8:38 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
🐶
@Lamar Stevens | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/HyDWiSXDTv – 8:37 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Thunder five to close the first: SGA, Mann, Jerome, Wiggins, Kenrich Williams
Kenrich Williams is guarding Evan Mobley. – 8:35 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
Cedi Osman MVP chanter STILL BELIEVES. – 8:35 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
bro did you seriously just talk during this @Josh Giddey dime pic.twitter.com/Xt0DE9W2xb – 8:32 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
The Thunder look a lot like a bad team that has lost nine of the last 10 games and is playing on the second night of a back-to-back. #Analysis – 8:32 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
Second consecutive first quarter, #Cavs Evan Mobley has been FEISTY. Thundering OKC inside. Cavs gotta keep him involved throughout tho. – 8:22 PM

Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
Darius Garland is so cold. pic.twitter.com/jLoaEdXu8j – 8:21 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
New hair, same @Isaac Okoro 🥶 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/U7i6AYnBuz – 8:20 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
go ‘head Baze! pic.twitter.com/ebtqxc0ayT – 8:18 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
A dangerous duo.
@Darius Garland @Evan Mobley pic.twitter.com/aMcdqsVY7t – 8:17 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
We’re getting started in Cleveland!
Presented by @EnergyTransfer pic.twitter.com/uKQdJ7rbRN – 8:13 PM

Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Darius Bazley is back in the starting lineup tonight
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Lu Dort
Josh Giddey
Darius Bazley
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl – 8:11 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Darius Bazley is starting in place of Aaron Wiggins tonight. – 8:10 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Really impressed by the crowd in Cleveland pic.twitter.com/tUKhWSnoML – 8:10 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
It’s almost game time, but it’s also the last day you can vote #JarrettAllen for #NBAAllStar 🌟
RETWEET! RETWEET! RETWEET! pic.twitter.com/e97qyPPFZS – 8:07 PM

Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs Rajon Rondo (hamstring) will not play tonight against Oklahoma City. – 7:41 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
You can only vote #DariusGarland for #NBAAllStar for 4.5 more hours…
🌟 1 RT = 1 VOTE🌟 pic.twitter.com/5vKCP0ejEE – 7:30 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
You heard them… Voting ends tonight at midnight ET, so get your #NBAAllStar votes in NOW!
Ways to vote:
🌟 Online at https://t.co/QSQ0oYR8Si or the NBA App
🌟 RT or Tweet the player’s #FirstNameLastName or @ + #NBAAllStar (Only one player per tweet) pic.twitter.com/3woPrsaWg7 – 7:22 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
on the scene pic.twitter.com/OpgA1HmRml – 7:17 PM

Jon Hamm @JonMHamm
Talked about this on Thunder After Dark after last Saturday’s game vs. Cleveland, but good reminder that the Cavs are here after three bad seasons and without the addition of a franchise-altering free agent (no disrespect, Lauri). Built slow and steady and with some lottery luck. pic.twitter.com/nJTz6J7Yhj – 7:11 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
The Thunder left Charlotte after the game last night, but they didn’t get to their hotel in Cleveland until 8 a.m.
First, their bus got stuck on icy roads in Charlotte. Daigneault and crew did some pushing. Then their plane was held up for five hours, so they switched planes. – 6:51 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
The #AllForPride Night Starting Five! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/cpEnKVtxur – 6:51 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Happy to be home 🏠 #MoreDriven pic.twitter.com/6KD0QqAdZJ – 6:42 PM

Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs J.B. Bickerstaff said Lamar Stevens will play tonight. He said they were still waiting on Rajon Rondo, who was listed as questionable with hamstring soreness. – 6:37 PM

Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Wrapping up the longest road trip of the year in Cleveland.
🎥 | @OUHealth Game Day Report pic.twitter.com/YZGXHZfBoI – 6:19 PM

Serena Winters @SerenaWinters
Lamar Stevens (who missed the past 2 games) will play for the #Cavs tonight vs. #OKC.
Coach JB Bickerstaff says Rajon Rondo (hamstring) is still a game-time decision. – 6:19 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
“I want to be here with the Thunder. This might sound far-fetched, but I would like to retire here.”
Kenrich Williams is a popular trade target, but he has no interest in being dealt.
oklahoman.com/story/sports/n… – 5:49 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Last stop: Cleveland pic.twitter.com/uYAFsxCoON – 5:17 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Kickin’ off the three-game home stand!
🆚 @Oklahoma City Thunder
🕗 8:00PM ET
📺 @BallySportsCLE, @NBATV
@betwayusa | #GetItLocked pic.twitter.com/iL2ptW4S12 – 4:30 PM

Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Last night, SGA made his 220th 3-pointer with the Thunder, passing Alex Abrines on OKC’s all-time list.
1. Durant: 1,084
2. Westbrook: 922
3. George: 536
4. Harden: 320
5. Sefolosha: 265
6. Green: 256
7. Morrow: 255
8. Schroder: 249
9. Dort: 242
10. Gilgeous-Alexander: 220 – 4:14 PM

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
My way too early 2022 NBA Draft Top 10
1.Jabari Smith Jr
2.Paolo Banchero
3.Chet Holmgren
4.Shaedon Sharpe
5.Jaden Ivey
6.Ben Mathurin
7.AJ Griffin
8.Johnny Davis
9.TyTy Washington
10.Patrick Baldwin Jr
OKC could end up with 2 of these guys if the Clippers would just cooperate – 3:46 PM

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
The Knicks are listing Cam Reddish (ankle) as probable for Sunday’s game vs. the Clippers.
Nerlens Noel (knee) and Kemba Walker (knee) are both listed as questionable.
Sunday is the front end of a back-to-back (NY plays in Cleveland on Monday) so Kemba may get the afternoon off – 3:33 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
We need the Slash Brothers in Cleveland!
RT to vote for @Zach LaVine & DeMar 🎸
@nba_paint | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/8NThTIWa9f – 2:30 PM