Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder faced off at Rocket Arena on November 2, 2026, in a game marked by roster absences for both teams. The Cavaliers entered the matchup with Peyton Watson and Jaylon Tyson ruled out, while the Thunder were without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and others. Tip-off was scheduled for 7 p.m., with live score updates available via BeaconJournal. The Thunder have had a nightmare beginning to the 2026-27 season, with multiple key players sidelined. Watson was out with a hamstring injury, while Tyson missed the game due to a right ankle sprain.
The Cavaliers trailed the Thunder 59-48 at halftime, with Ajay Mitchell leading Oklahoma City with 14 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 12. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell scored 12 points but saw a buzzer-beater 3-pointer waived off. The Cavs’ shooting struggled, hitting just 37% from the field and 26% from 3-point range. In the third quarter, Cleveland mounted a 15-4 run, fueled by three 3-pointers from James Harden and Meleek Thomas, cutting the deficit to 74-70 with 7:10 remaining. The run included two 3s from Harden, two from Thomas, and one from Donovan Mitchell.
Ball is up. #Cavs and Thunder are underway here at Rocket Arena.
— https://x.com/RealDCunningham/status/2117409172400521529
Cavaliers Start Without Key Players
The Cavaliers’ starting lineup included Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Meleek Thomas, and Evan Mobley. The Thunder’s lineup featured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell, and Isaiah Hartenstein, though several key contributors were sidelined. Both teams faced challenges in maintaining consistency, with Cleveland’s balanced scoring failing to overcome shooting inefficiencies. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell led the way with 17 and 16 points, respectively.
Third-Quarter Surge Cuts Thunder Lead
Cleveland’s third-quarter rally included a 15-4 run, with Harden, Mitchell, and Thomas combining for 11 points. The Cavaliers trimmed Oklahoma City’s lead to four points, but the Thunder maintained control. Earlier in the game, the Cavs took a 30-26 lead into the second quarter after a strong first quarter, during which Donovan Mitchell scored eight points. The Thunder, despite injuries, outscored Cleveland in the second quarter, taking a 52-46 lead into the break. Tyrese Proctor drilled a 3 in the closing moments of the first quarter, contributing to the Cavs’ early lead.
Thunder Lead Cavaliers After Strong First Half Shooting
Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 and 12 points by halftime, respectively. Cleveland’s Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 11 rebounds but only one point. The Cavs’ shooting struggles continued, with Sam Merrill, Thomas Bryant, and Mario Hezonja combining for 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. The game’s outcome remained in flux as both teams adjusted to their respective challenges. The Thunder shot 47% from the field and 44% from 3-point range in the first half, while the Cavaliers struggled at 37% from the floor and 26% from beyond the arc.
