It’s a clash of red-hot form and championship pedigree as the Cleveland Cavaliers, riding a seven-game winning streak, visit the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Eastern (12 p.m. Central), with the game broadcast live on ABC and available for streaming via FuboTV and other popular services. Both teams enter this matchup with impressive records—Cleveland at 36-21 and Oklahoma City leading the Western Conference at 43-14—but the storylines run much deeper than the standings suggest.
Cleveland’s recent surge has been fueled by a blockbuster midseason trade, sending Darius Garland to the Clippers in exchange for 11-time All-Star and former MVP James Harden. The move has paid immediate dividends. The Cavaliers are 5-0 since Harden’s arrival, and the team has won 14 of its last 16 games, rocketing up the Eastern Conference standings to tie for third place with the New York Knicks. Harden has seamlessly integrated into the Cavaliers’ offense, averaging 18.4 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game in his first five outings in a Cleveland uniform. His playmaking has unlocked new levels for his teammates, especially Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen.
Mitchell, who has been the Cavaliers’ offensive engine all season, continues to shine with Harden at the helm. He’s averaging a blistering 28.8 points per game—sixth-best in the NBA—along with 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds, while shooting an efficient 48.6% from the field. In Friday’s 118-113 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, Mitchell poured in 32 points, 13 of which came in the decisive fourth quarter. Jarrett Allen, meanwhile, has been unleashed since Harden’s acquisition, averaging 22.6 points and 11.2 rebounds over the last five games, including a 25-point, 14-rebound performance against Charlotte.
“The team just feels different with James out there,” Allen said after the win over the Hornets, according to The Athletic. “He’s always looking to get us the best shot and keeps the defense guessing.”
Another key contributor for Cleveland has been sharpshooter Sam Merrill, who recently notched a career-high 32 points, draining nine three-pointers in the process. The Cavaliers’ offense is humming, averaging 119.8 points per game—third-best in the league—and their long-range prowess has become a defining feature. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, who sat out the previous contest for injury management, is expected to return for Sunday’s tilt. Mobley recently came back from a seven-game absence (left calf strain), logging 10 points and nine rebounds in limited minutes against Brooklyn.
On the other side, the Thunder have been fighting through adversity despite their sparkling record. Oklahoma City has been hit hard by injuries to key players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and face of the franchise, remains sidelined with an abdominal strain. Jalen Williams (hamstring), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal and ankle injuries), Alex Caruso (ankle), and Thomas Sorber (torn ACL) are all out for Sunday’s game. Despite this, the Thunder have managed to keep their momentum, most recently dispatching the Brooklyn Nets 105-86 on Friday night.
Jared McCain, a new addition to the Thunder roster, stepped up in the absence of the stars, delivering a season-high 21 points off the bench. Chet Holmgren, now shouldering a heavier load, contributed 15 points and seven rebounds. Isaiah Hartenstein filled the stat sheet with 10 points, eight boards, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. Cason Wallace also made his presence felt with six assists and four steals. The Thunder’s depth has been tested, but so far, they’ve managed to answer the call.
Holmgren, the Thunder’s top available scorer, is averaging 17.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, shooting an efficient 55.9% from the field. Ajay Mitchell, though currently injured, has averaged 14.1 points per game, while Hartenstein chips in 10.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per outing. The Thunder average 119.4 points per game—just a tick below Cleveland’s mark—and allow 107.6 points per contest.
“We know we’re shorthanded, but that doesn’t change our mindset,” Holmgren said after the win over Brooklyn, as reported by ESPN. “It’s next man up every night. We’re still aiming to defend our title.”
This will be the second meeting of the season between these two squads. The Thunder dominated the first matchup on January 19, cruising to a 136-104 victory in Cleveland. Oklahoma City has won five of the last six meetings between the teams, but the Cavaliers look much different now with Harden in the fold. Cleveland’s recent run has put the rest of the league on notice—they’re not just playoff contenders, but legitimate threats to make a deep postseason push.
The injury report for Sunday’s game is lengthy on both sides. For the Cavaliers, Max Strus (Jones foot fracture), Riley Minix (G League two-way), and Tristan Enaruna (G League two-way) are out. The Thunder, as mentioned, are missing Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Mitchell, Caruso, and Sorber. The absences could tilt the balance in Cleveland’s favor, and oddsmakers agree: as of Saturday, the Cavaliers are favored by 2.5 to 4.5 points, depending on the sportsbook, with a moneyline of around -150 to -190. The over/under has been set in the 225.5 to 226.5 range, reflecting both teams’ offensive firepower.
For fans eager to catch the action, there’s no shortage of viewing options. In addition to the ABC broadcast, streaming services like FuboTV, DIRECTV, Sling TV, and the ESPN app are offering free trials or discounted passes for new users. With so much on the line—a surging Cavaliers team trying to prove its legitimacy against the defending champs, and an Oklahoma City squad determined to weather the injury storm—this is a regular-season matchup that carries serious playoff implications.
As the Cavaliers and Thunder prepare to tip off in Oklahoma City, all eyes will be on how Cleveland’s new-look lineup fares against the battered but still dangerous Thunder. Will the Cavaliers’ momentum and Harden’s leadership be enough to topple the defending champs on their home floor? Or will Oklahoma City’s depth and resilience shine through once again? The answers will start to unfold at noon Central, with the NBA world watching closely.
With both teams battling for playoff positioning and pride, Sunday’s showdown promises high stakes and high drama. The Cavaliers’ winning streak is on the line, while the Thunder aim to defend their home court despite a depleted roster. One thing’s for sure: this is one NBA matinee you won’t want to miss.