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

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault credited Cavs’ Jarrett Allen for his dominating performance leading Donovan Mitchell and the team in Wednesday’s loss. Following one of the more entertaining games between two small-market teams, a reporter asked Gilgeous-Alexander about its significance.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points and eight assists in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114 in a matchup of teams with the best records in the NBA.

Darius Garland had 20 points and nine assists for Cleveland, and Jarrett Allen added 13 points ... on a 22-2 run to take a 32-14 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in the opening period.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points and eight assists ... Darius Garland had 20 points and nine assists for Cleveland, and Jarrett Allen added 13 points. Donovan Mitchell ...

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,

The first meeting between these teams was about the Cavaliers offense. The rematch was about the Thunder defense.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 40 points with eight assists, while Luguentz Dort shot 6-for-9 on 3-pointers en route to 22 points. Jalen Williams added 19 points with six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 134-114 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. The game was a marquee matchup between the two teams with the NBA's best records.

So some like Alperen Sengun, Domantas Sabonis and Jaren Jackson might get reserve spots. But the real tough decision is measuring Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Anthony Davis against Victor Wembanyama. I’ll go with Durant and LeBron this time — and assume the other two will be in the game.

Which 24 players will make the 2025 NBA All-Star Game next month in San Francisco? Here's our roster prediction.