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Three Takeaways From OKC Thunder’s Dominant Win over Cavaliers

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Three Takeaways From OKC Thunder’s Dominant Win over Cavaliers


On a Martin Luther King Jr. Day mid-day matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder throttled the Cleveland Cavaliers, 136-104, Monday at Rocket Arena. The Thunder used a 45-point fourth quarter to pull away with a dominant win.

The Thunder improved to 36-8 on the season after the win.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied his 30th 30-point game this season, scoring exactly 30 on 12-of-20 shooting. Chet Holmgren added 28 points of his own as the Thunder shot a blistering 48.9% from three-point range.

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Here are three takeaways from OKC’s win.

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Jan 19, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

1. Second Period Barrage

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The Cavaliers brought the game within five points with three minutes remaining in the first half, but a one-minute 12-2 run allowed the Thunder to take control of the game immediately.

The run let the Thunder enter their halftime locker room with a 15-point advantage, 66-51. OKC won the second quarter by 10 points.

The run was powered by phenomenal three-point shooting, especially from Isaiah Joe and Luguentz Dort. Dort scored 11 points in the second quarter, with five being in the run, and Joe scored nine points in the period, with three being in the run.

The team shot 5-of-9, 53.8%, from three-point range in the second quarter. OKC held Cleveland to 22.2% shooting from long range, a perfect formula to win big.

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The Thunder would continue to push the pace the rest of the game, winning by a wide margin.

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Jan 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) walks down the court during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

2. Isaiah Joe Lights Up Rocket Arena

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In the absence of Jalen Williams, the Thunder needed a scorer to fill his shoes. Isaiah Joe did just that.

The former Arkansas Razorback drilled shots across the perimeter, scoring 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while hitting four triples on seven attempts. Joe was instrumental in the second quarter, scoring nine points from three triples.

The Thunder need their sharpshooter to continue to play like this the rest of the way. When Joe’s shooting is unlocked, the Thunder’s spacing issues evaporate.

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Jan 15, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) shoots the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

3. Lu Dort Contributes in All Factors

Luguentz Dort had one of his best games of the season Monday afternoon, shooting 6-of-7 from the floor and 5-of-6 from three, scoring 18 points on the day. Dort also had a phenomenal day on the defensive end, holding his matchup, Donovan Mitchell, to just 19 points on 5-of-18 shooting.

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Dort got the team going in the second quarter, scoring 11 points and opened the second half with a steal that led to a Chet Holmgren dunk to continue the momentum.

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Dort entered the game shooting 32.8% from deep, but if he can return to his form from his past two seasons, the Thunder offense can boom.




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Oklahoma leaders react after U.S. and Israel launch joint attack on Iran

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Oklahoma leaders react after U.S.  and Israel launch joint attack on Iran


State leaders are reacting after the United States launched an attack on Iran Saturday morning.

U.S. Senator James Lankford said he is praying for the safety of the American service members involved in the attack.

“Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and has long threatened the United States and our allies. Today’s military actions underscore the seriousness of that threat and the need to prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Lankford said. “I’m praying for the safety of every American service member involved in these operations and for their families at home. God bless our troops and God bless America.”

Lankford also said that any Americans in the Middle East should keep an eye out for advisories and guidance from the U.S. Department of State.

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U.S. Representative Tom Cole released a statement following the attack:

It’s a time of reckoning for those who chant ‘Death to America.’ President Trump is right when he calls the effort to eradicate Iran’s nuclear weapons program and give its people the opportunity to seize their freedom ‘a noble mission.’ The evil Iranian regime has been the leading state sponsor of terror for decades. It has killed thousands of people within and beyond its borders, including hundreds of Americans. It must be defanged and dismantled.

The President did not take this action lightly or impulsively. He has warned Iran repeatedly that it must change its policies and its actions. He has negotiated with Iran in good faith and with great clarity. It was the Iranian regime that chose to ignore those warnings and make a mockery of those negotiations. In doing so, its tyrannical leaders made an enormous miscalculation.

Our Commander in Chief has made clear that his goal is not just to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. It is also to give the Iranian people a chance to take back their country. Self-determination and freedom will be theirs to claim. I hope they will.

Like every American, my thoughts and prayers are with our brave and capable men and women in uniform who are carrying out this noble but hard and dangerous mission. I know that they will have the unwavering support of every American, and I am confident that they will acquit themselves with honor and distinction.

May God protect our troops and the innocent Iranian people – and once again – as He so often has, bless America.

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin said he is praying for the United States’ men and women in uniform in a post on Saturday.

“May God bless and protect our men and women in uniform—the greatest peacekeeping force in the history of the world. Americans are praying for your safety in this mission,” Mullin said.

U.S. Representative Kevin Hern said the Iranian regime is a threat to the U.S. and President Trump was left with no other choice than to take action.

As the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, the Iranian regime is an active threat to the United States, our allies, and stability across the Middle East.”

Iran’s refusal to accept a deal left President Trump with no choice other than to take decisive action to ensure the regime never possesses a nuclear weapon. There is no peace without strength, and the United States will not sit by while this regime pursues their nuclear ambitions, fuels their terrorist proxies, and brutalizes the Iranian people. I’m praying for our brave troops in the region. May God bless them, and may God bless the United States.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a social media post that his prayers are with President Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth as they work to achieve a safer world.

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“God bless and protect the men and women of the United States military engaged in the Middle East this weekend. My prayers are with our military, President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and our Generals, as they use American force to achieve a safer world for the future of our children and grandchildren,” Drummond said.



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Oklahoma County commissioners weigh state audit of jail trust amid detention center woes

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Oklahoma County commissioners weigh state audit of jail trust amid detention center woes


An investigative audit into the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority; it’s something the Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners is considering.

Fox 25 has been covering issues with the Oklahoma County Detention Center for years, from failed inspections to staffing issues and missed paychecks.

The issues had members of the Jail Trust recommending last June they undergo a performance review. Now, in a letter recently issued, county commissioners are asking State Auditor Cindy Byrd to look into the county Criminal Justice Authority, also known as the jail trust. But whether it’s tied to those ongoing issues remains unclear.

“I really wouldn’t know. I wouldn’t know where to begin with that. I just wouldn’t even want to speculate, honestly,” said Commissioner Myles Davidson.

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Commissioner Davidson told FOX 25 if the audit were to happen, it wouldn’t be cheap.

“To go into a budget that we’re extremely tight on, and start adding hundreds of thousands of dollars, and time, these audits don’t happen overnight. I don’t know that we would have an answer to any question we could possibly ask before the budgetary cycle is over,” said Davidson.

Davidson said that cycle ends June 1. Instead, he’s suggesting they look into existing audits to see if there’s any useful information there first.

“I would simply say that we need to look at the audits that have been submitted already to the state auditor that the jail trust has already paid for, and then if we have questions about those, we need to bring in that auditing agency and question them. We do have the authority to do that,” Davidsons said.

However, Davidson isn’t sure they have the authority to request this audit.

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“When it comes to statute, we have to have it lined out, expressly in statute that we have this authority, and every county commissioner across the state has to abide by that,” he said.

Davidson said they’ll be meeting Monday to find out whether or not they do have the authority to request this audit. He told FOX 25 the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office reached out to folks with Cindy Byrd’s office and was told the audit would cost $100,000, adding that she’s so swamped that she can’t do it this calendar year.

FOX 25 also reached out to Jason Lowe’s office but they said they have no comment.



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Oklahoma lawmakers vote to rename turnpike in honor of Toby Keith

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Oklahoma lawmakers vote to rename turnpike in honor of Toby Keith


OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) — Oklahoma lawmakers have voted to honor country music artist and Oklahoma native Toby Keith.

House Concurrent Resolution 1019 recognizes Keith’s lasting impact on music and proposes renaming a planned turnpike in his memory.

The concurrent resolution was authored by Rep. Jason Blair, R-Morgan, and Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman.

The planned route will extend from Interstate 44 east to Interstate 35, then continue east and north to I-40 at the Kickapoo Turnpike.

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