Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-high 43 points and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer as the injury-hit Thunder beat Cleveland 117-112. With Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren all sidelined long term, the win was Oklahoma City's first without them, and the teams meet again on Wednesday.

With three players lost to long-term injuries, Oklahoma City still found a way to win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 points on Monday, and his late 3-pointer lifted the Thunder past the Cavaliers. The victory ended Oklahoma City’s two-game skid. It also handed Cleveland its first home loss of the season.

The game was tied 112-112 in the final minute. Gilgeous-Alexander pulled up over Sam Merrill on the left wing and buried the go-ahead shot. Cleveland had won all three of its earlier home games. The defeat dropped the Cavaliers to 4-3, ESPN reported.

Gilgeous-Alexander carried the offense with 35 shots

He finished 14 of 35 from the field, 4 of 8 from 3-point range and 11 of 12 at the free-throw line. He added 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. The 43 points tied his best scoring game in 17 career meetings with Cleveland.

The shot volume shows how much the Thunder now lean on the two-time reigning MVP. Help still came from others. Ajay Mitchell added 20 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed 14 rebounds.

Oklahoma City built its cushion late in the first half. After 15 lead changes, the Thunder closed the second quarter on a 16-6 run over the last five minutes. They led 59-48 at halftime. Cleveland fought back to level the score late but could not answer the final 3.

Donovan Mitchell and rookie Meleek Thomas each scored 17 points to lead the Cavaliers. Thomas was making his first NBA start.

The win was the Thunder’s first since losing Williams, Wallace and Holmgren

The result came after two straight road losses by 20 or more points. Those defeats followed a run of long-term injuries to Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren.

Williams had surgery on Oct. 28 for a fractured left fibula and a dislocated ankle. He suffered both injuries in the Oct. 25 win over the Clippers. The team will reevaluate him before the end of the regular season.

Holmgren had a biological treatment on Oct. 30 for a small tear in his right patellar tendon. The Thunder expect him back in eight to 10 weeks. Wallace is also sidelined long term.

Gilgeous-Alexander kept his view of the setbacks simple. “All you can do is play the cards you’re dealt,” he said after the game when asked about the injuries.

For now, that means a thinner rotation and more of the offense running through him. Monday’s numbers are consistent with that approach, with the Thunder winning a close game on the road behind their star.

The rematch comes quickly. The teams meet for the second and last time this season on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Oklahoma City, with tip-off listed at 8 p.m. ET.