Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points and delivered the decisive free throws with 0.9 seconds left as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied past the Denver Nuggets 119-117 on Monday night at Ball Arena. The victory pushed Cleveland to 33-21, strengthening its hold on fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
The All-Star guard also added 10 assists, controlling late possessions after Denver erased an earlier deficit. Cleveland has now won eight of its last nine games, continuing a surge built on improved ball movement and clutch execution.
James Harden, playing his second game since joining the Cavaliers following a Feb. 4 trade, finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Jarrett Allen anchored the interior with 22 points and 13 rebounds, providing rim pressure that kept Denver’s defense rotating. Cleveland shot 47% from the field and recorded 25 assists, emphasizing spacing and pick-and-roll reads during the comeback.
Nikola Jokic registered his 183rd career triple-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, two nights after moving into second place all-time in that category. The three-time MVP candidate missed a potential winning three-pointer at the buzzer, sealing Denver’s fourth loss in five games.
Jamal Murray added 17 points and 11 assists for the Nuggets, while Christian Braun and Julian Strawther each scored 20. Jonas Valanciunas contributed 12 off the bench, but seven turnovers from Jokic and a combined 13 team giveaways limited Denver’s late-game control.
The hosts led by 11 midway through the fourth quarter before Cleveland tightened its defense and attacked the paint. Mitchell’s lob to Allen for an alley-oop cut the deficit to one, and Harden’s step-back three-pointer tied the score at 117 with 32 seconds remaining.
After Tim Hardaway Jr. missed a shot on the next possession, Murray fouled Mitchell, who converted both free throws to put the visitors ahead. Denver had one final chance, but Jokic’s contested attempt from deep bounced off the rim.
The Cavaliers’ starting lineup combined for 101 points, reflecting a balanced scoring structure that has fueled their recent run. Jaylon Tyson chipped in 16 points and Sam Merrill added nine, spacing the floor with perimeter shooting.
Denver, now 34-20 and third in the Western Conference, struggled to close despite a 46-39 rebounding edge and 28 made free throws. Cleveland hosts the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, while the Nuggets remain at home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
