Cleveland secured a thrilling 129-122 victory over Oklahoma City, ending the Thunder’s 15-game winning streak while extending their own to 11 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, but the Cavaliers showcased balanced scoring, highlighted by Jarrett Allen’s 25 points and Evan Mobley’s 21. In other matchups, Philadelphia triumphed over Washington with Guerschon Yabusele’s standout performance, the Bucks defeated the Spurs 121-105, and the Nuggets won 126-103 against the Clippers despite Nikola Jokic’s absence.
Cavaliers Triumph Over the Thunder
Following impressive victories against the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics, the Oklahoma City Thunder set their sights on defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, the top team in the Eastern Conference. However, Cleveland showcased their strength at home, clinching a thrilling win with a final score of 129-122.
The Thunder entered the game with a remarkable 15-game winning streak, while the Cavaliers were riding a 10-game streak of their own. The matchup featured an exhilarating back-and-forth battle that included 30 lead changes, with no team ever pulling ahead by more than nine points.
“I just wish I could sit back and watch; it’s a great basketball game,” remarked Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson as the game unfolded.
Despite struggling with some unusual shot attempts, Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still managed to shine, contributing 31 points for the Thunder.
The Cavaliers, however, relied on a well-rounded team effort, with seven players scoring over 11 points. Their dominance near the basket was evident, led by the talented duo of Jarrett Allen, who recorded 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Evan Mobley, who added 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein performed admirably, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, but ultimately fell short against Cleveland’s strong performance.
The absence of the versatile Chet Holmgren, who is sidelined with a pelvic fracture, was felt as the Thunder faced Cleveland. However, there is optimism surrounding his potential return for the rematch on January 16, as Oklahoma City continues to lead the West with a record of 30-6.
Cavaliers’ substitute Ty Jerome, a former Thunder player, played a pivotal role late in the game, setting the stage for Darius Garland to score the decisive basket, finishing with 18 points.
Yabusele Shines with Blocks and Taunts
In a standout performance, French player Guerschon Yabusele played a crucial role in Philadelphia’s victory over Washington, scoring 21 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, just one point shy of his career high.
Yabusele, who made his NBA comeback last summer after a challenging first stint with Boston (2017-2019), led his team impressively in the first half, stepping up in the absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George, before Tyrese Maxey took charge with 29 points.
One of the highlights of the game came when Yabusele delivered a spectacular block on his teammate and Olympic silver medalist Bilal Coulibaly, followed by a playful taunt that brought a smile to the young Wizards forward’s face.
“Nothing personal. I saw him dribbling, I knew he was going for a lay-up, and I managed to make contact so he would lose a bit of balance, allowing me to block him,” Yabusele explained, who capped the score at the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Sarr, the No. 2 French player from the last draft, had to withdraw from the game due to illness.
Spurs Overpowered by the Bucks
The San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, faced a tough challenge against the Milwaukee Bucks, suffering a 121-105 defeat, marking their third consecutive loss.
Wembanyama started strong with a signature block, a three-point shot, and an acrobatic lay-up against Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, he finished with just 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, struggling defensively against the Greek superstar.
After a promising start, the Spurs were outmatched in the second quarter and were unable to recover.
Next up, they will face the Lakers twice in Los Angeles, first on Saturday, then again on Monday.
Nuggets Claim Victory Without Jokic
In a surprising turn, the Denver Nuggets secured a victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, winning 126-103, despite being without their star player Nikola Jokic due to illness.
Jamal Murray stood out with 21 points and 9 assists, while Russell Westbrook contributed 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. This win helped the Nuggets strengthen their position in the Western Conference, currently holding the 4th spot with a record of 21-15.
Recent game results:
Milwaukee – San Antonio 121-105
New York – Toronto 112-98
Brooklyn – Detroit 98-113
Denver – LA Clippers 126-103
New Orleans – Portland 100-119
Cleveland – Oklahoma City 129-122
Indiana – Chicago 129-113
Philadelphia – Washington 109-103
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