James Harden Says Cavs Are Building ‘Something Special’ After Mitchell-Harden Win Over Knicks

james harden was central to a statement night for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the New York Knicks 109-94 at Rocket Arena on Tuesday night. The victory and Harden's comments afterward underline a larger storyline: the Cavaliers believe they are coalescing into a serious team in the 2025-26 season.

James Harden, Donovan Mitchell duo fuels Cavs win at Rocket Arena

James Harden and Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers to the 109-94 victory. Harden finished with 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting, with four assists and two rebounds. Mitchell scored 23 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists; he shot 5-of-18 from the field and added three steals. Fans and pundits were impressed with the Harden-Mitchell pairing during the game.

How the game unfolded: momentum swings and a decisive third quarter

Cleveland opened the contest with a 19-12 run and held a nine-point edge at the end of the first quarter. The Cavaliers pushed their lead to 12 points early in the second, but the Knicks answered with a 7-1 run to stay within striking distance. New York later cut the deficit to one point before Cleveland answered with an 8-0 run to reestablish breathing room.

The third quarter proved decisive: the Cavaliers pulled away while the Knicks struggled after halftime. New York scored just 11 points in the third, shooting 3-of-24 from the floor and 1-of-12 from behind the arc during the period. Cleveland carried an 18-point lead into the fourth and maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way.

Individual lines and team records after Tuesday’s result

• James Harden: 20 points (8-of-18), 4 assists, 2 rebounds.
• Donovan Mitchell: 23 points (5-of-18), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals.
• Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 20 points on 6-of-19 shooting, 4 assists, 2 turnovers.
• Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks): 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5-of-5 shooting, 5 turnovers.

Following the game, New York and Cleveland now share identical 37-22 records.

Roster context: why Harden’s arrival matters and what the Cavs see ahead

Coverage of the Cavaliers notes that their recent run follows a disappointing start to the 2025-26 season; over the past few weeks the team has become one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. James Harden's arrival is cited as a factor in that turnaround, coming after struggles tied to Darius Garland's injuries earlier this year. The organization moved on from Garland after trying to win with him but concluding a change was necessary.

The broader core is highlighted as well: Donovan Mitchell is framed as a legitimate superstar capable of carrying a playoff team, Evan Mobley is noted for having earned a Defensive Player of the Year award, and Jarrett Allen is described as one of the most reliable centers in the league. Coverage stresses that pairing Jarrett Allen with Harden in the pick-and-roll should enhance Allen's offensive impact. The Tuesday win over the Knicks was described as well-rounded, with six Cavaliers finishing in double figures.

Harden’s message and developing storylines to watch

After the victory, Harden said the team is working to build something special, that each game is an opportunity to improve, and that Tuesday’s result reflected a team effort. That outlook frames Cleveland's recent momentum as intentional rather than accidental.

Other developing angles emerging from recent coverage include: an insider urging observers to "pump the brakes" on Cavs playoff hype; Donovan Mitchell reiterating his commitment to the Cavaliers and his affinity for the city of Cleveland; Donovan Mitchell noting that the Oklahoma City Thunder play overly physical and that teams must adapt; Jarrett Allen expressing excitement about the Cavaliers' second-half performance; and LeBron James keeping an eye on the Cavaliers' progress.

Separately, a web notice on one site highlighted technical requirements for readers: the site said it was built to take advantage of the latest web technology, indicated a reader's browser was not supported, and asked users to download a modern browser for the best experience. This technical advisory is tangential but appeared alongside recent coverage of the Cavaliers.

These threads—on-court production from the Harden-Mitchell tandem, roster adjustments tied to Garland's injury history, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen's roles, and outside commentary urging caution on expectations—form the immediate narrative for the Cavaliers as they press into the rest of the season. Details may evolve as the team plays on and these storylines develop further.