Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder make another statement with blowout of Cavs in matchup of NBA’s best

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a loud statement in an MVP-worthy season with another 40-point performance Thursday night.

He was more excited about the one his Oklahoma City Thunder did with one nationally televised blowout of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a battle of the NBA’s best.

“There’s obviously myself as the leading scorer on the team. I’m going to get most of the credit. But the world sees all that — we call them cockroaches in our locker room. Cockroaches and hyenas,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s the guys who do the little work, the guys who don’t get the most praise. They don’t average 30, but their part in our win and our season is just as big, and I’m glad that the world gets to see it.”

The 6-foot-6 Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points and eight assists in three quarters as the Western Conference-leading Thunder rolled past the East-leading Cavaliers 134-114. He made 17 of 26 shots, often breaking the Cavaliers down off the dribble and getting to the rim or hitting mid-range jumpers.

The runner-up for the NBA MVP award last season averaged 31.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists for a Thunder team that tied Cleveland for the league’s best record at 34-6. He has already been named Western Conference Player of the Month twice.

When asked if Gilgeous-Alexander was trying to make a statement in the game, which aired on TNT so the small-market Thunder could show a larger-than-usual audience what they’re all about, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault shrugged .

“You know, he just looked the same,” Daigneault said. “That’s why he’s so good. It’s like that pretty much every night. So he was on it and I thought he had a pretty good floor game throughout.

Fans have noticed. In the third return of the All-Star fan poll, the Canadian leads the Western Conference guards – well ahead of Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Edwards.

“Personally, it feels good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “All the hard work pays off. Nothing is guaranteed in life, so you take everything that comes your way as a blessing. Don’t take it for granted. That’s what I try to do. … Just don’t try to get too wrapped up in it and keep putting yourself into what your job is every night. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

Gilgeous-Alexander’s best supporting cast member right now is Jalen Williams, especially since Chet Holmgren has been out with a broken hip. Williams is averaging 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in his third season. He hasn’t been an All-Star yet, but Gilgeous-Alexander thinks that should change this year.

“You can start with his pointers. He’s obviously averaging 20 and very efficient,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He carries the load when I’m out of the game, playing for him and the guys around him.”

As Gilgeous-Alexander praised Williams’ defensive versatility, it turned into a playful disagreement about Williams’ height. Williams says he’s 6-6. Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t so sure.

“At 6-4, he’s able to guard all five positions on the basketball court,” Gilgeous-Alexander said as Williams tried to interject. “Like tonight he was guarding a 7-footer. I never could. And a lot of guys our size never could. Those kinds of things directly affect the win and we definitely win basketball games. No one has their pressure on us winning basketball games more than Jalen Williams, and that’s why he deserves to be an All-Star.”

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