Cavaliers Vs Thunder: Thunder 121-113 as Sam Merrill’s Push Falls Short in Gut-Check Loss

The Cavaliers Vs Thunder matchup ended with the Oklahoma City Thunder defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-113 on February 22, 2026. Sam Merrill kept the Cavs alive but it wasn’t enough in a game characterized by heavy perimeter pressure, a physical frontcourt battle, and mixed individual performances.

Game recap: Thunder 121-113 Cavaliers (Feb 22, 2026)

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost a gut-check game to the shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder’s defense repeatedly hounded Cleveland ball handlers and the Cavs struggled to consistently get the ball into the paint. Despite late efforts, Cleveland couldn’t overcome turnovers and select scoring droughts.

Cavaliers Vs Thunder player grades

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player. Merrill kept the Cavs alive but it wasn’t enough.

• Mitchell — 20 points, 5 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 turnovers: This has historically been a tough matchup for Mitchell. He was able to break free for a relatively efficient game compared to previous efforts vs OKC, but the Thunder remain the best defensive team in the league at hounding Mitchell. He had to fight for everything today and went 0-6 from downtown.
• Harden — 20 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 5 turnovers: Harden can handle OKC’s ball-pressure a bit better than Mitchell because of his size at 6’5”. Still, this is a difficult matchup for him. The Cavs struggled to get the ball into the paint, largely because of the Thunder’s strong point-of-attack defense and willingness to drop on pick-and-rolls. Five turnovers knock him down half a grade.
• Allen — 11 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers: Allen went scoreless in the first quarter as the Thunder’s frontcourt dictated the terms of engagement. He eventually found his groove and played an otherwise strong game. The Cavs tied OKC on the glass today, and Allen had a game-high 6 offensive rebounds. Still, he lost half a grade for airballing that free throw.
• Mobley — 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal (25 minutes): This was only his second game since January 24th, and he was on a minutes restriction playing against the best defensive frontcourt in the NBA. With that context, only 2 rebounds are tough to swallow. Mobley also struggled with OKC’s physicality on offense, being moved off his spots and resorting to three-point attempts in the fourth quarter. The Cavs need him to be more aggressive, getting to the paint or forcing his way to the free-throw line.

Sam Merrill and bench impact

Sam Merrill’s contributions kept the Cavs within striking distance late, but his efforts didn’t flip the outcome. Bench production provided some life, yet it wasn’t enough to overcome the combination of turnovers and the Thunder’s defensive pressure at critical moments.

Frontcourt battles, rebounding and role adjustments

The Thunder’s frontcourt dictated much of the game’s early tone. Cleveland’s frontcourt had to adjust, and Allen’s offensive rebounding was a bright spot. The Cavs tied OKC on the glass today, showing a collective effort on the boards even as individual rebounding totals varied. Tyson’s going through an adjustment period, and it’s affected his recent performances; his role is smaller than before, and his impact has felt more scattered.

Odds, model picks and what’s next

There was also a preview entry covering Thunder vs. Cavaliers odds, prediction, spread, and time for Sunday, February 22, 2026, including model-driven picks. The result leaves Cleveland with clear areas to address: ball security, consistent interior scoring, and getting Mobley more aggressive inside as he returns from his recent layoff. Recent updates indicate the team will need to adapt in upcoming games; details may evolve.

A promotional note within the original coverage invited readers to shop Cavs gear, including a new City Edition shirt, with purchases supporting the site that published the grades.