The Cavaliers snap the Thunder’s 15-game winning streak in the battle for the NBA’s best

On By Littum

CLEVELAND — Jarrett Allen scored 25 points, Evan Mobley added 21 and the Cleveland Cavaliers ended Oklahoma City’s 15-game winning streak by beating the Thunder 129-122 on Wednesday night in a marquee meeting between the NBA’s top two teams.

The Cavs, who host the Raptors on Friday night, extended their winning streak to 11, improved their league-best record to 32-4 — 11-0 against the West — and moved to 19-1 at home.

They did it on an off night for leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, who had just 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting.


Jarrett Allen, who scored 25 points, goes up for a layup as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends during the Cavaliers' 129-122 win over the Thunder on Jan. 8, 2025.
Jarrett Allen, who scored 25 points, goes up for a layup as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends during the Cavaliers’ 129-122 win over the Thunder on Jan. 8, 2025. AP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and Jalen Williams had 25 for the Thunder (30-6), who will face the Knicks on Friday night at the Garden.

It was Oklahoma City’s first loss since Dec. 1.

Even though it’s only January and there’s a lot of basketball ahead, the intensity of the game had all the atmosphere of a finals game in June.

There were 30 lead changes and neither team led by more than nine.

The game was just the third in history between teams riding double-digit winning streaks.

The last time that happened was Jan. 26, 1995, when Seattle and Utah entered their game each riding 10-game winning streaks.


A smiling Donovan Mitchell pours water on Jarrett Allen during the Cavaliers' postgame celebration in their win over the Thunder.
A smiling Donovan Mitchell pours water on Jarrett Allen during the Cavaliers’ postgame celebration in their win over the Thunder. Getty Images

Takeaways

Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander is the undisputed star of the team, but Oklahoma City has some nice pieces.

Center Isaiah Hartenstein, a former Knick, finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.

Cavaliers: Cleveland showed its balance, depth and that it can handle Mitchell’s absence.

Mobley and Allen combined for 22 rebounds and 13 assists. Darius Garland had 18 points, seven assists and hit a floater to put away OKC.

Key moment

With Cleveland up 125-122, Mitchell was called for a loose ball violation with 1:19 left.

The Cavs challenged and the call was overturned on replay review. Mobley then hit a 10-footer into the lane to put Cleveland up by five.

Key state

Only four teams have had a better record through 36 games than Cleveland: Golden State (34-2) in 2015-16, Philadelphia (33-3) in 1966-67, Los Angeles Lakers (33-3) in 1971-72 and Chicago (33-3) in 1995-96.