In the past, we have relied on our superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to help us climb from whatever deficit we were facing. He would either drive in for an improbable scoop layup, stop and pop for a mid range jumper, step-back into a 3 pointer, or draw contact and get to the line.
It seemed like that was the plan, as Shai came down the floor, posted up Caris Levert, turned around and pulled up from 6 feet only this time, when the contact came the whistle didn’t blow (sadly, a theme throughout the evening).
Giddey (who had a few absolute DIMES) inbounded the ball to Shai, who almost lost it as he was doubled immediately, but he found Lu Dort alone at the top of the arch, and it was pure. Thunder down 7. 2:18 left.
Then it was Mitchell’s turn. He crossed up Dort past halfcourt and had a head full of steam on his way to the rim. But Chet rotated over just in time to force him to go for a contested layup, as opposed to a wide open dunk. He missed it! But Evan Mobley drifted in uncontested, and followed the shot all the way to the rim. Thunder down 9. 1:56 left.
Time was running out, and the Thunder needed points in a bad way. So they turned to their MVP candidate. Running what is quickly becoming the Thunder’s staple in an inverted pick and roll, Shai sets a screen for Dort’s man as Dort dribbled to the baseline, Shai flares out to the wing and Dort returns the favor from the play prior, hitting Shai for a huge 3. Thunder down 6.
The Cavs come down and run a pick and roll with Mobley and Mitchell. Mobley gets the ball, spins, pivots, and goes up for the dunk. BUT CHET IS THERE FOR THE BLOCK. But they call it a foul…
*not so fast my friends!*
Mark Daigneault calls for the coaches challenge, and after seemingly 127 hours, the refs decided that Chet indeed had his hand on the ball, and nothing else.
Isaiah Joe, Shai, and Jalen Williams run a weave pattern along the top of the arch before Joe takes a screen from Chet and starts to drive, leaving Dub open on the wing. Dub, is one of those aforementioned players that have all-star potential, but has yet to fully live up to that potential in this young season. Up to this point, he had 11 points on 3-13 shooting. But in a game he was so cold, he chose the perfect time to have ice in his veins, as he knocked down the 3 with cool, steely confidence. Thunder down 3. 1:16 left.
Max Strus misses a layup on the ensuing possession, Chet gets the rebound. He hands it to Shai, Shai passes it ahead to Dub. Dub starts to the basket, and Mobley slides into the paint to contest him. Dub flips the ball to Chet who is trailing on the play. Chet who had his NBA debut two nights ago. Chet who was berated mercilessly for being crossed up by Andre Drummond. Chet who at this point had bounced back to the tune of 13/12/2/1/7 (!!!!). Chet who is playing in his 2nd NBA game EVER. Hits the biggest shot of his life, as he pulls up from straightaway to tie the game. Thunder tied. 1:03 left.
Mitchell then drives in and kicks it out to his man in the corner. Little did he know, his man was Jalen Williams. The Thunder advance the ball up the court, the ball finds Dort on the wing, and he does the improbable. Dort pass fakes to the corner, drives in, and rises up over two defenders (including DPOY runner up Mobley) for the go ahead layup. Thunder UP 2. 28.1 left.
Dort wasn’t done.
Mitchell had 40 at this point, mind you. Gets the rock, and goes to work on Dort in iso, after a series of crossovers he drives to the right elbow, Dort is with him stride for stride. Mitchell rises up, and Dort counters. The shot clangs off the rim, and Chet muscles the rebound away from Evan Mobley.
Giddey inbounds it to Shai. It’s tipped out of bounds. Giddey inbounds it to Dub. He is fouled.
Once again, Dub hadn’t had the best game. But regardless, as noted above we wouldn’t be in this position without him. And he knocks down both free throws with the poise and composition of a 10 year vet to make it a 2 possession game. Thunder up 4. 11.9 left.
Cleveland inbounds it to Mitchell, who somehow gets Aaron Wiggins on him as opposed to Dort. You could see Dort try to drift over to him to get the switch, but eventually concedes and lets Wiggs have the matchup. While Wiggs got a good contest, great contest without fouling, Mitchell knocks down the 3. Thunder up 1. 6.1 left to play.
The basketball gods have a sense of humor. Giddey inbounds the ball to Shai, and Shai is fouled. After 48 minutes of action, Shai (who is so fondly referred to as “Free Throw Merchant” by his naysayers) steps to the line to take his only 2 free throw attempts of the night. He calmly knocks them both down. Thunder up 3. 4.1 left to play.
The Cavs get the ball to their guy, Mitchell. He is doubled by Dort and Shai before the latter strips the ball free of his handle, and the Thunder walk away victorious. 108-105, ending the game on a 18-5 run in the final 2:18.
This game sets up a bout between the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Nuggets, also undefeated, are famously the defending NBA champions, and look to have not missed a beat from last season. This will be the home opener for OKC, and I cannot stress this enough. THERE SHOULD NOT BE AN EMPTY SEAT IN THE PAYCOM CENTER FOR THIS GAME. Come early, stay late, be LOUD, and show this team how much we appreciate them.
Because as we saw Friday night, and many other nights over the last 3 seasons; no matter how big the deficit, no matter how much time is remaining, no matter who the other team on the court is…
This team is going to fight, they are going to compete, they are going to do everything they can possibly do to give themselves a chance, to find a way to win.
Whether it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers, or the defending champion Denver Nuggets. This Thunder team will not quit.
The Oklahoma City Thunder never say die.