James Harden Shines in Cleveland Debut, Fueling 132-126 Comeback Victory Over Cavs

James Harden made a notable debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers, contributing significantly to a thrilling 132-126 victory over the Sacramento Kings. This win marks the Cavs’ third consecutive victory and their eighth win in the last nine games.

First Half Highlights

Harden’s integration into the team had its challenges. He could not practice prior to the game due to the pre-deadline trade process. Early in the first quarter, the Cavaliers fell behind 15-8, prompting coach Kenny Atkinson to call a timeout. By the end of the first quarter, the Cavs trailed 31-25.

However, Cleveland rebounded in the second quarter with a 15-2 run, driven by former Kings players Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. This surge allowed the Cavaliers to take a two-point lead into halftime after outscoring Sacramento 32-24 in the period.

Third Quarter Struggles

The third quarter started poorly for the Cavs. They struggled offensively and allowed the Kings, who were enduring an 11-game losing streak, to regain a double-digit lead. A shift occurred when Cleveland’s revamped bench sparked an 11-0 run, allowing them to briefly take back the lead before entering the fourth quarter three points behind.

Fourth Quarter Rally

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland’s star guard, opened the final period strong, scoring the team’s first 11 points. As the game progressed, Harden returned with around eight minutes left, trailing by two. His pivotal transition three-pointer put the Cavs ahead.

The Kings fought back, regaining the lead by as much as seven points. In response, Cleveland went on an 8-0 run, capped off by another three-pointer from Harden. With 42.5 seconds left, DeMar DeRozan’s clutch three tied the game for Sacramento, but Mitchell answered with aggressive drives to the basket, earning free throws.

Key Player Performances

• James Harden: 23 points, 8 assists, 15 points in the fourth quarter.
• Donovan Mitchell: 35 points, 17 in the fourth quarter.
• Jarrett Allen: 29 points, 10 rebounds.
• Nique Clifford (Kings): 30 points, leading scorer for Sacramento.

Harden finished the game with a strong performance, despite a rocky start shooting 7 of 13. His ability to deliver when needed showcased his potential synergy with Mitchell.

Upcoming Challenges

The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to continue their road trip, facing the Denver Nuggets next. The matchup is scheduled for Monday night, with tipoff at 9 p.m.