With his team missing key contributors Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter, the Cavaliers star was asked to do more than ever and handled the burden impressively, dropping 48 points on 15-of-30 shooting with nine assists, five rebounds, four steals and five turnovers in 36 minutes, though he had a rough time in the final stretch.

The Thunder, in what became clear from the jump, had no interest in sharing company in these NBA Playoffs with the beleaguered beasts of the East.