Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reaches new high as Thunder gets even with a blowout win over Cavaliers

The Thunder star is leading January’s scoring list with an average of 33.0 PPG.

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder sought sweet revenge for their last defeat over the Cleveland Cavaliers and recorded a 134-114 win at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma on Thursday night. The first meeting between the league leaders on January 8 was a close affair, where Cavaliers recorded a 129-122 win.

However, in the rematch, the Thunder got it even with a blowout win and handed the Cavaliers their worst loss of the current season. With the victory, Thunder extended its home streak to 10 games.

The night belonged to MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recorded 40 points and eight assists in just 29 minutes. Not only this, but with it, he became the only second player this season to score 40+ PTS in less than 30 minutes.

The Thunder star hit 15 points in the first quarter, which gave the side a 26-point lead in the first half. Gilgeous-Alexander then continued his scoring marathon with 11 points in the second quarter, and 14 in the third, thus, recording his fifth 40-point performance this season. It is to be noted that the Thunder star is leading January’s scoring list with an average of 33.0 PPG.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:

“Yeah, I don’t need free throws. When they come, it’s a plus. But I don’t need them. I get it however I take it.”

(h/t @NoContext_NBA_)

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 17, 2025

“I don’t need freethrows” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits back at haters

Following the victory, the Oklahoma City Thunder star hit back at haters who have claimed that he needs free throws to come up with a statement performance.

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“Yeah, I don’t need free throws. When they come, it’s a plus. But I don’t need them. I get it however I take it”, the Thunder star said after the game.

Notably, the Toronto born has always found himself on the receiving end of criticism for being a ‘free throw merchant’ after he led the charts with 7.6 FTM. Currently, he sits second on the list of attempts with 8.0 FTA and on the top with 7.2 FTM.

During the game, Gilgeous-Alexander was visibly in pain after he suffered an injury on his wrist. He was seen consulting the medical staff and had his wrist wrapped in an ice pack, raising concerns among fans and pundits alike.

However, dismissing all the concerns, the two-time All-Star said that he is all set for their forthcoming match-up against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.