Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Scores 43, Thunder Edge Cavs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took 35 shots and made the one that counted most. With 32.6 seconds left and the game tied, he drilled a 3-pointer to put Oklahoma City ahead for good, finishing with a season-high 43 points in a 117-112 win over the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Monday night, the AP reported.

The Thunder needed this one badly. They came in off two straight road losses by 20-plus points and are playing without three starters lost to long-term injuries. Now they are 5-2, and Cleveland (4-3) lost at home for the first time in four tries this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Carried the Load

With so many bodies missing, Gilgeous-Alexander basically had to do everything, and he knew it. His 35 field goal attempts are the most by any player in the first two weeks of the season. He made 14 of them, and he was 11 of 12 from the free-throw line.

The numbers that matter:

• Gilgeous-Alexander: 43 points, 8 assists

• Gilgeous-Alexander: 35 shot attempts

• Thunder: 2 straight blowout road losses snapped

The 43 also matched his best scoring night in 17 career games against the Cavaliers. Ajay Mitchell gave him real help with 20 points, including two free throws with 15.4 seconds left that made it a two-possession game. Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed 14 rebounds.

A Wild Fourth Quarter

This game swung all night. The first half had 15 lead changes and two ties before OKC closed the second quarter on a 16-6 run to lead 59-48 at the break. The Thunder pushed it to 69-55 in the third, then Cleveland got hot, going 9 of 17 from 3 in the quarter.

The Cavs opened the fourth on an 18-9 run, and the final period saw eight ties and eight lead changes. Then Gilgeous-Alexander hit his fourth 3 of the night, Sam Merrill missed from the corner, and Mitchell iced it at the line.

Cavs Get a Rookie Moment

Cleveland had a bright spot. Rookie Meleek Thomas made his first NBA start and scored 17, matching Donovan Mitchell for the team lead. Mitchell added 11 assists, and Evan Mobley had 16 points.

Rematch Wednesday in OKC

These two meet again on Wednesday in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are still shorthanded, and the offense ran through Gilgeous-Alexander on almost every big possession Monday, so the Smacktok lean is higher on his shot attempts in the rematch. If the shots are going to him at this rate, Thunder fans are getting another big scoring night.