In a thrilling showdown, the Cleveland Cavaliers triumphed over the Denver Nuggets with a nail-biting score of 119-117, thanks to Donovan Mitchell's impressive performance and James Harden’s pivotal contributions. With only 0.9 seconds remaining on the clock, Mitchell sank two crucial free throws after Harden had leveled the score with a clutch 3-pointer, sealing the victory for the Cavaliers on Monday night.
Key Highlights
- James Harden recorded an impressive 22 points along with 10 rebounds in his second outing as a Cavalier.
- Nikola Jokic delivered a strong performance as well, contributing 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, but unfortunately missed a critical buzzer-beater attempt from beyond the arc.
- This matchup marked the 14th instance of Harden facing the Nuggets since the commencement of the 2024-25 season, which included a gripping seven-game playoff series last year.
Harden, who was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers on February 4, made an immediate impact, scoring 23 points in his debut with Cleveland just three nights prior. Meanwhile, Jokic's near-miss at the end of the game prevented him from adding to his career total, having recently surpassed Oscar Robertson for second place in all-time triple-doubles, now boasting 183.
Before the game, Nuggets coach David Adelman acknowledged Harden's legendary scoring ability, stating, "Even if you’re prepared for (Harden), his capacity to achieve 28 points and 12 assists is historic."
During the game, Harden played a crucial role in narrowing Denver's lead, which had extended to 11 points earlier in the match. He helped close the gap to 106-104, but Christian Braun, who is returning from a left ankle injury, responded by hitting a 3-pointer, and Jonas Valanciunas extended the lead to 111-104 with two successful free throws.
Mitchell later threw a lob to Jarrett Allen for a spectacular alley-oop dunk, which cut the deficit to one point. After Jokic managed a hook shot to increase Denver's score, Harden executed a flawless step-back 3-pointer that tied the game at 117 with just 32 seconds left. Tim Hardaway missed a potential go-ahead shot for the Nuggets, leading to Jamal Murray fouling Mitchell, who remained composed under pressure and converted both free throws to secure the win for the Cavaliers.
In addition to his scoring, Mitchell also facilitated plays, recording 10 assists, helping the Cavaliers extend their winning streak to eight out of their last nine games. Conversely, Murray ended the night with 17 points and 11 assists, but the Nuggets have struggled lately, suffering four losses in their last five games.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers are set to host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, while the Nuggets will welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to their home court on the same evening.
