They brace for it, watch film of the potential fatalities. A fortunate few have escaped. But all endure pain, customary when you step onto the pale hardwood in Oklahoma City.  Slow, 48-minute death — just three quarters if the damage is done like it has been three times this past week — by 1,

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having a dream season in the NBA. He’s now the favorite to do something no former UK player has done.

For Cleveland, it was death by a thousand cuts. The Thunder topped that 30-2 run with back-to-back pick-six turnovers — with the demoralized Cavs barely bothering to jog back on the second one — shortly after a technical foul on Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson for intercepting a ref on the sideline and screaming “Call the f—ing foul!”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his latest statement in an MVP-worthy season with another 40-point performance Thursday night.

The Thunder handed the Cavaliers their worst loss of the season to leave the two conference leaders each with 34-6 records.

Other than an NBA championship, this individual accomplishment is rare to come by, as only 36 players have received such nods in the association's history. With the 2024-25 season approaching the halfway mark,

Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers will host Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in a historic NBA matchup

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 of his 27 points from the foul line to overcome his worst shooting performance of the season and help the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 136-95 rout of the Washington Wizards on Sunday night.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to make his MVP case with a dazzling 40 points and eight assists in just 29 minutes. Luguentz Dort dominated at both ends — his season-high 22 points and six 3s told just part of the story — and after Thursday’s game both the Thunder and Cavs have identical 34-6 records. But a much larger statement was made.

Darius Garland finished with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting and nine assists. Jarrett Allen had 13 points and seven rebounds. Evan Mobley was held to five points and three rebounds. Donovan Mitchell only had eight points on 3-of-15 shooting.

The Cavaliers returned to earning W’s, beating the Pacers 127-117. The victory ends Indiana’s six-game win streak and avenges Cleveland’s loss to them on Sunday. The win puts Donovan Mitchell and Co. back on the right track to set the stage for a showdown Thursday against the West-leading Thunder.