Cavs Speak Of Growth, Unity After Fighting Off Thunder, Claiming 11th Straight

January 9, 2025

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers just continue to turn heads, adding yet another impressive victory to their resume. It came via a thrilling 129-122 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

That extended the Cavs’ winning streak to 11 games, defeating a Thunder team that had previously rattled off 15 straight.

Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson reflected on the growth of his team after the game, quoting a powerful message from his players: “The players said, ‘We don’t win this game last year,'” Atkinson said.

Despite a tough shooting night from franchise star Donovan Mitchell, who finished just 3-for-16 from the field, Cleveland leaned on the dominance of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

The duo combined for a staggering 46 points and 22 rebounds, consistently outworking multiple Thunder defenders on the glass and in the paint.

Mobley, in particular, was a force at both ends of the floor, contributing 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and a steal. On the game’s most crucial possession, with Cleveland up by three and just over a minute remaining, Mobley isolated at the top of the key, took it into the chest of Isaiah Hartenstein, and finished with a smooth basket to seal the game.

“This is a team win,” Mitchell said. “Everybody that came in did something positive to affect the game, whether it was scoring, rebounding, defending, whatever it may be. That’s a team win, and that’s what it’s going to take for us to be the team we want to be.”

The Cavaliers’ performance on Wednesday not only ended Oklahoma City’s 15-game win streak but also solidified their place as one of the league’s elite teams. With a 32-4 record, Cleveland is on pace to match the 73-win season the Golden State Warriors had in 2015-16, further backing up the belief that they are serious title contenders.

Mitchell added, “I think we knew we belonged here. We’ve got to continue to just be us.”

For Oklahoma City, the loss was a learning experience. MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points, but it came on 27 shots. Jalen Williams, who had struggled recently, bounced back with 25 points and nine assists.

But the absence of 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren and defensive specialist Alex Caruso was felt, especially in the paint where Mobley and Allen dominated.

Gilgeous-Alexander, ever the professional, took the loss in stride.

“We just lost twice in a month and a half,” he said. “It sucks that they’re the high-profile games, but we’re human out there. Can’t be perfect.”

But for Cleveland, this victory was more than just another win — it truly was a statement.

“We went 31-4, people still don’t believe,” Mitchell said. “We win tonight, people still don’t believe. We got to continue to just be us.”

And at this point, it’s hard to ignore what this Cavaliers team has built.