Cavaliers Vs Nets: cavaliers vs nets — Harden scores 22 in 106-102 Cleveland win
In New York on Sunday the cavaliers vs nets matchup ended 106-102 as James Harden scored 22 points in his return to the lineup with a broken thumb, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers snap a two-game skid while the Brooklyn Nets fell to their eighth straight loss. The result leaves the Nets mired in a stretch that has seen them lose 11 of 13 games.
Harden returns despite fractured thumb, posts full stat line
James Harden scored 22 points in his return after missing two games following a fracture earlier in the week. He shot 5 for 9 from the field, made 4 of 7 from three-point range and converted 8 of 12 free throws, and added nine rebounds and eight assists in the game. Harden was injured Tuesday night in a 109-94 home victory over New York; X-rays on Wednesday showed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. The 17-year veteran had been traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 4.
Key Cavaliers contributors, injuries and next opponent
Jarrett Allen scored 20 points and Evan Mobley finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds as Cleveland rallied for the win. Sam Merrill finished with 15 points and Dennis Schroder had 10. Cleveland snapped a two-game skid and improved to 12-1 in their last 13 games against the Nets. Donovan Mitchell was sidelined for a third straight game with a groin injury, and Dean Wade also sat out with a sprained ankle. The Cavaliers will host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Cavaliers Vs Nets: Brooklyn’s scoring leaders and team slide
Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting, while Danny Wolf added 23 points and nine rebounds. Nolan Traore contributed 17 points and Grant Nelson scored 11. The Nets’ loss dropped them to 15-45 overall; it was their eighth straight defeat and their 11th loss in 13 games.
Halftime edge for Brooklyn, second-half Cavalier rally and late sequence
Brooklyn led 56-42 at halftime, aided by 50% shooting on 21-for-42 from the field. Cleveland rallied in the second half and held an eight-point lead with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before Brooklyn mounted a comeback. Traore cut the margin to three on a basket with 28. 6 seconds left, making it 102-99. Wolf hit two free throws with 9. 2 seconds showing to pull Brooklyn within one at 102-101. Schroder then made a pair of free throws and Wolf hit 1 of 2, giving the Cavaliers a two-point lead with 5. 9 seconds left. Schroder and Mobley added free throws in the final seconds to seal the 106-102 victory.
Game context and immediate ramifications
The win halted Cleveland’s two-game skid and reinforced the Cavaliers’ strong recent record against Brooklyn, while the Nets’ extended slump continued. The narrow finish underscored Cleveland’s ability to close out the game even with Donovan Mitchell unavailable and with Harden playing through a fractured thumb.
