Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points and sank two free throws with 0.9 seconds remaining after James Harden’s tying 3-pointer, lifting the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 119-117 comeback win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
Harden finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds in his second game with Cleveland after being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 4. He scored 23 points in his Cavaliers debut three nights earlier and again played a key role late, drilling a step-back 3-pointer with 32 seconds left to tie the game.
Nikola Jokic recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists for Denver but missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Two nights after passing Oscar Robertson for second place on the NBA’s all-time triple-doubles list, Jokic notched the 183rd of his career.
Denver appeared in control after building an 11-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Harden helped spark a Cleveland rally that cut the deficit to 106-104, but Christian Braun hit a 3-pointer and Jonas Valanciunas added two free throws to push the Nuggets back in front 111-104.
The Cavaliers responded again. Mitchell tossed a lob to Jarrett Allen for an alley-oop dunk to make it a one-point game, and after Jokic connected on a hook shot, Harden buried his tying 3. Tim Hardaway Jr. missed a jumper on the ensuing possession, and Jamal Murray fouled Mitchell, who calmly knocked down both free throws to seal it.
Mitchell also had 10 assists, while Allen finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds as Cleveland won for the eighth time in its last nine games.
Murray recorded 17 points and 11 assists for Denver, which has lost four of its last five.
Monday marked the 14th time Harden has faced the Nuggets since the start of the 2024-25 season, including a seven-game first-round playoff series last year.
Up next:
Cavaliers host Washington on Wednesday night.
Nuggets host Memphis on Wednesday night.
