CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers return home Monday night looking to build on one of their best offensive performances of the young season when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Rocket Arena. Both teams enter the contest with 4-2 records, but they arrive under considerably different circumstances.

Cleveland is coming off a convincing 136-111 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday, while Oklahoma City has dropped consecutive games against Dallas and Houston. The Thunder are also dealing with a lengthy injury list that will leave them without several important contributors.

The Cavaliers put together an outstanding offensive performance against the Bucks, recording 41 assists and connecting on 20 three-pointers. Evan Mobley scored 27 points, while Jarrett Allen added 25 points and 11 rebounds. Cleveland's ability to share the basketball and generate quality scoring opportunities made it difficult for Milwaukee to keep pace.

That same offensive approach could be particularly effective against Oklahoma City, which will be without Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso. Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber are also unavailable, leaving the Thunder with a depleted rotation.

Despite those absences, Oklahoma City still has one of the NBA's most dangerous players in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The two-time reigning league MVP remains capable of taking over a game, and Cleveland will need a disciplined defensive effort to keep him from consistently getting into the paint and creating scoring opportunities.

The Thunder also have former Cavaliers center Isaiah Hartenstein, who provides rebounding, interior defense, and additional playmaking. Cleveland's frontcourt combination of Mobley and Allen will be particularly important in controlling the boards and limiting Oklahoma City's second-chance opportunities.

Donovan Mitchell enters the matchup averaging 22.7 points per game, while James Harden has provided another experienced ballhandler alongside him. The Cavaliers have several players capable of generating offense, allowing them to spread the scoring responsibilities throughout their lineup.

Cleveland will also be dealing with injuries. Jaylon Tyson is out with an ankle injury, and Nae'Qwan Tomlin remains sidelined with a lower-back stress reaction. Peyton Watson is questionable with right hamstring tightness and soreness.

Monday's contest is the first of two meetings between the teams in three days, with Cleveland traveling to Oklahoma City for Wednesday's rematch. The Thunder won both meetings last season and have won three consecutive games against the Cavaliers dating back to January 2025.

Game Information

Prediction

Oklahoma City has enough talent to challenge Cleveland even with its depleted roster, particularly with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the offense. But the Cavaliers' advantage in the frontcourt and their recent offensive production should give them the upper hand. Expect another productive night from Mobley and Allen, with Mitchell helping Cleveland pull away in the fourth quarter.

Final Score: Cleveland Cavaliers 125, Oklahoma City Thunder 115