Harden records 20+9 in first loss with new team! Cavaliers fall to depleted Thunder, missing out on 8th straight win; Joe scores 22 points and 5 steals

On February 23rd Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Cavaliers losing 113-121 on the road to the Thunder, ending their bid for an 8-game winning streak. Harden contributed 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists, Mitchell had 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Cavaliers fell behind by up to 23 points and despite briefly overtaking in the second half, they were defeated on the road. This was Harden’s first loss with the Cavaliers. Thunder’s Alexander and Jalen Williams were sidelined due to injuries, but seven players scored in double figures. Joe delivered 22 points, 6 three-pointers, and 5 steals, while Wallace added 20 points and 10 assists.

Statistics

Cavaliers: Mitchell 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists; Harden 20 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists; Mobley 15 points; Allen 11 points, 13 rebounds; Merrill 20 points, 6 three-pointers; Schröder 11 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists; Ellis 9 points, 3 assists; Tyson 7 points, 4 rebounds

Thunder: Joe 22 points, 6 three-pointers, 5 steals; Wallace 20 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals; Holmgren 17 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists; Dort 12 points; Hartenstein 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists; Jalen Williams 10 points; McCain 10 points; Kenrich 8 points; Wiggins 7 points

Player of the Game

Joe excelled on both ends of the floor, leading the undermanned Thunder to a victory over the in-form Cavaliers.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Holmgren, Wallace, and Joe hit consecutive three-pointers as the Thunder started with a 9-0 run. Harden scored with a floater and then a three-pointer, but the Thunder kept their momentum with scoring from Holmgren, Hartenstein, and Wallace. The Cavaliers called a timeout but could not stop the Thunder’s surge. McCain and Joe hit back-to-back threes as the Thunder went on a 15-0 run, extending the lead to 23 points. Merrill nailed two threes to break the Cavaliers’ scoring drought, and Mitchell began scoring as well. Before the quarter ended, Mitchell hit a buzzer-beating floater. The first quarter ended with the Thunder leading 40-25.

In the second quarter, Jalen Williams and Wiggins hit three-pointers as the Cavaliers started to find their rhythm. Tyson, Mitchell, Schröder, and Ellis attacked the paint continuously, and Mobley completed a dunk and hook shot, cutting the deficit to 11 points. Harden scored on a bank shot, Joe hit another three, and Wallace and Merrill exchanged threes. Mitchell again scored a buzzer-beating floater. At halftime, the Thunder led 64-55.

After the break, Merrill was hot, scoring 8 straight points. Mobley and Mitchell scored consecutively, and Allen dunked as the Cavaliers went on a 14-4 run to take the lead. Wallace and McCain scored back-to-back, Hartenstein dunked, and Joe hit a three-pointer as the Thunder regained a 7-point lead. Mitchell and Ellis scored again, Tyson made a three, and Wiggins scored a mid-range jumper. The third quarter ended with the Thunder leading 89-86.

In the final quarter, Dort scored on a mid-range shot, Holmgren dunked, Mobley hit a three, and Harden scored on a layup. Holmgren dunked again, Wallace and Harden traded threes, and Hartenstein scored twice in a row as the Thunder maintained an 8-point lead. Merrill and Wallace hit three-pointers, Joe added another three, Mobley scored 4 straight points, and Hartenstein made two more baskets. Harden scored on a layup and stepped back for a three-pointer, cutting the Cavaliers’ deficit to 5 points. Mitchell missed a crucial shot, Hartenstein made one of two free throws, Holmgren grabbed an offensive rebound and made one of two free throws, Merrill missed a three, and Holmgren made one of two free throws. Ultimately, the Thunder defeated the Cavaliers.

Starting Lineups

Cavaliers: Harden, Mitchell, Wade, Mobley, Allen

Thunder: Joe, Wallace, Dort, Holmgren, Hartenstein