Despite missing several key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell, the Thunder delivered an impressive performance Sunday, defeating a Cavaliers team that entered the matchup riding a seven-game winning streak and victories in 12 of its previous 13 games.
Oklahoma City’s ability to control the game while shorthanded highlighted the organization’s depth and overall team strength.
According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the result serves as an example of why the NBA may need to reconsider how it markets the league, placing greater emphasis on team success and roster depth rather than focusing primarily on individual star power.
Oklahoma City’s performance demonstrated how strong systems and balanced contributions can still produce winning basketball even without headline players available.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell acknowledged that outside observers may have underestimated the Thunder because of their injuries but stressed that players within the league understand the level of competition.
“I think we do discredit ‘team,’” Mitchell said. “This wasn’t a situation where we were like, ‘all right, we’re going to come in here (and dominate, because of OKC’s injuries).’ They’re a championship-level team.
“But I do think you see that, no SGA, no J-Dub, as fans, not as us (the Cavs), and you do think, ‘oh, it should just be a (cakewalk).’ You know what I mean? These guys can go. They can play. We’ve seen that. This league is very talented.”
Thunder Notes: Joe, Injuries, Holmgren, Caruso, Topic https://t.co/M08hScicxE pic.twitter.com/Ac0AAD575o
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 23, 2026
