Cleveland, OH
Cavs Beat Thunder in Historic Battle Called a Potential NBA Finals Preview by Fans
David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
NBA fans might have gotten an early look at this year’s Finals on Wednesday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 129-122 in one of the most exciting games of the season thus far. Heading into the contest, there had never been a team on a 15-game win streak face off against a team on a 10-game win streak. Ultimately, it was Cleveland that kept its win streak going as it made it 11 in a row.
The game was highlighted by a plethora of lead changes, but Cleveland had the edge heading down the stretch. The Thunder got right back into the game, however, cutting the Cavs’ lead to just two points with a minute and a half to play.
Cleveland, feeding off a rowdy home crowd, held strong on defense, though, while also getting the shots it needed on the offensive end to escape with the win.
It was a slow night for Cavs star Donovan Mitchell, who had just 11 points, but Cleveland’s frontcourt stepped up as Jarrett Allen had 25 points, 12 boards and six assists while Evan Mobley had 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a big night with 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to carry his team past the Cavs.
Delayed Draw @GB_Delayed_Draw
No matter who wins this game, it’s been a fun battle. Wouldn’t be sad to see a Thunder/Cavs finals this year.#ThunderUp
The Cavaliers now hold the best record in the NBA at 31-4 and have all the makings of a Finals team. While the Thunder dropped to 30-5 with the loss, they’re still in the driver’s seat in the Western Conference.
Cleveland and Oklahoma City will meet again in just over a week, and the second contest should be just as interesting as the first.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Cavaliers Trade out of No. 29 Overall in 2026 NBA Draft
The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded out of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Cavs had the No. 29 overall selection on Tuesday night. But Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman decided to trade that selection to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for No. 34 overall and a future second-round selection.
At No. 29 overall, the Cavs will send the Kings UConn forward Alex Karaban.
“It’s in the distant future,” a source told cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor about the future second-round selection acquired in this deal.
Reports from Fedor surfaced early Tuesday morning that the Cavaliers could be interested in bailing out of the first round. By late Tuesday night, Altman was able to execute a trade that sets the Cavs up for further flexibility in the offseason.
Why the Cavs traded out of No. 29 overall
The Cavaliers would’ve owed the No. 29 pick a guaranteed salary just under $2 million.
Because the Cavs are in the lone second apron – and could be looking to shed salary this offseason – ditching the No. 29 overall pick saves the Cavaliers a couple of bucks.
Second round picks are non-guaranteed, two-way deals. That gives the Cavs the financial flexibility they’re looking for.
What the Cavs could do at No. 34 overall
This is a talented draft class. A few high profile players slid into the second round.
UNC center Henri Veesaar is still waiting to hear his name called. The 7-foot center could be a backup to Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Duke wing Isaiah Evans is also still waiting to hear his name called, and could fill a big position of need for the Cavaliers. Arkansas guard Maleek Thomas was consistently mocked to Cleveland, and he slid to Day 2 as well.
There’s always a chance that Altman could trade back again.
Second round draft picks are valuable because they could be used as sweeteners in trades this offseason. For example, in exchange for a team taking on the contract of a player like Dennis Schroder or Max Strus, the Cavaliers might want to attach a second round draft pick to make the package more appealing to a trade partner.
Flexibility should be the name of the game for Altman as he tries to improve Cleveland’s roster this offseason. The Cavs won’t have a first round draft pick until 2028. But bailing out of Tuesday night’s first round will give Altman plenty of options on Wednesday and into the rest of the offseason.
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Cleveland, OH
Max McEnelly Lands High-Profile Matchup With Bo Nickal at RAF
University of Minnesota star wrestler Max McEnelly won the 2026 NCAA national championship at 184 pounds, and he’s now set to face superstar Bo Nickal at Real American Freestyle (RAF) 12 on August 22nd in Cleveland, Ohio.
THIS MATCH UP🔥
Bo Nickal takes on Max McEnelly August 22 in Cleveland at RAF12.
Tickets in bio. Stream exclusively on @foxnation pic.twitter.com/loEWdeb5pZ
— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) June 22, 2026
McEnelly is preparing for his redshirt junior season with the Gophers, and Nickal is 9-1 as a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, following a storied collegiate wrestling career at Penn State. Their freestyle wrestling match will be contested at 215 pounds.
RAF is an American freestyle wrestling promotion that was founded by Chad Bronstein, Terri Francis, and Hulk Hogan in 2025. The August 22nd show at Rocket Arena will be the one-year anniversary of the promotion. The fights will be broadcast on FOX Nation.
Nickal most recently competed at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, where he defeated Kyle Daukas via first-round finish. He’s now 6-1 in his UFC career. His match against McEnelly will be his second under RAF. He defeated Jacob Cardenas via decision at the promotion’s first show last summer.
Nickal is 6-foot-1, and he wrestled at 197 pounds at Penn State. He competes at the 185-pound middweight division in the UFC, so he might have a slight size advantage over McEnelly, who’s 5-foot-10. The event will be a high-profile opportunity, as McEnelly continues to establish himself as one of the best pound-for-pound wrestlers in the country.
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Cleveland, OH
Cleveland man dies after fatal shooting at gas station
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A man was killed Friday after being shot at a gas station on the city’s East side.
Cleveland police said they responded to the Sunoco in the 3300 block of E. 93rd St. around 8:30 p.m.
According to police, officers were in the area when they heard gunshots.
When officers arrived at the gas station, they found the victim with gunshot wounds.
Officers immediately began to provide first aid until EMS arrived and transported him to University Hospitals.
Carl Formby, 49, died from his injuries at the hospital.
Officers said they found two firearms and several casings at the scene.
The Cleveland Police Homicide Unit is investigating the incident.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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