The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Denver Nuggets 117-119 on the road Tuesday night, continuing a recent surge that has seen them win nine of their last ten games. The victory comes less than a week after a blockbuster trade that sent 11-time All-Star James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a triple-double, recording 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists – his 183rd career triple-double, trailing only Russell Westbrook’s 207. Despite Jokic’s performance, the Cavaliers rallied, fueled by a strong response from Harden.
Harden scored key baskets down the stretch, bringing the Cavaliers within striking distance. With six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Harden’s score narrowed the gap to 106-104. The game remained tight, with contributions from both teams, including an alley-oop from Jarret Allen to Donovan Mitchell, who finished the game with 32 points and 10 assists.
Harden tied the game with a three-pointer with 32 seconds left. After a missed three-pointer from Tim Hardaway, Mitchell drove to the basket and drew a foul, converting both free throws to provide Cleveland a two-point lead. Jokic’s last-second three-point attempt failed to connect.
The trade that brought Harden to Cleveland was reportedly spurred by concerns from Donovan Mitchell about the team’s ability to contend for a championship, according to three league sources. Mitchell, who has one guaranteed season remaining on his contract with a player option for the 2027-28 season, reportedly expressed his desire for changes to the organization. A high-ranking Cavaliers official refuted claims that Mitchell applied direct pressure and similarly denied the occurrence of a team-wide Zoom call where these concerns were initially discussed.
The Cavaliers began the season as favorites to win the Eastern Conference but struggled with injuries and inconsistent performance. The trade of Garland, a key member of the team’s “Core Four,” reflects a strategic shift towards prioritizing immediate contention, despite acquiring an older player in Harden. The Clippers, meanwhile, received an injured Darius Garland in the deal, according to CBS Sports.
Elsewhere in the NBA on Tuesday, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Charlotte Hornets 110-104, the Brooklyn Nets beat the Chicago Bulls 123-115, the Utah Jazz topped the Miami Heat 115-111, the Orlando Magic defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 118-99, the Minnesota Timberwolves won against the Atlanta Hawks 138-116, the Modern Orleans Pelicans beat the Sacramento Kings 120-94, the Golden State Warriors edged out the Memphis Grizzlies 114-113, and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-110.
