Thunder Snap Cavaliers' 7-Game Win Streak

Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace lead depleted Oklahoma City team to victory

Feb. 23, 2026 at 2:35am

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The Oklahoma City Thunder, playing without their two star guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 121-113 on Sunday. Isaiah Joe scored 22 points with a career-high 5 steals, while Cason Wallace had 20 points and a career-high 10 assists to lead the Thunder. The loss snapped the Cavaliers' 7-game winning streak.

Why it matters

The Thunder were able to overcome the absence of their top players and snap the Cavaliers' impressive winning streak, showcasing the depth and resilience of the Oklahoma City roster. This result could impact the playoff seeding in the Western Conference as the season winds down.

The details

The Thunder jumped out to a 28-5 lead early, fueled by 11 first-quarter points from Isaiah Joe and 17 points off 10 Cleveland turnovers. The Cavaliers settled in and chipped away at the deficit, eventually taking their first lead in the third quarter. But the Thunder hit 21 3-pointers in the game and held on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • The Thunder built their big early lead just over 7 minutes into the game.

The players

Isaiah Joe

A Thunder guard who scored 22 points and had a career-high 5 steals in the win.

Cason Wallace

A Thunder guard who had 20 points and a career-high 10 assists in the starting lineup.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's star guard who was out with an injury.

Jalen Williams

The Thunder's other star guard who was also out with an injury.

James Harden

A Cavaliers guard who scored 20 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The Thunder's ability to overcome key injuries and snap the Cavaliers' winning streak demonstrates the team's depth and resilience, which could pay dividends as they jockey for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.