Key Takeaways:
- Donovan Mitchell secured 32 points, including two decisive free throws with just 0.9 seconds remaining, as the Cavaliers defeated the Nuggets 119-117
- James Harden recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds in his second outing for Cleveland, hitting a game-tying three-pointer in the closing seconds
- Nikola Jokic achieved his 183rd career triple-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, but missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer
Match Analysis
The Cleveland Cavaliers staged a dramatic comeback to clinch a 119-117 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Monday night. Donovan Mitchell led the charge for Cleveland, tallying 32 points and executing two critical free throws with just 0.9 seconds left to seal the win after a late three-pointer from James Harden had tied the contest.
A DUB IN DENVER. #LetEmKnow
📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/pgsgkWJTph pic.twitter.com/YxBlbHUWib
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 10, 2026
Player Performance and Key Moments
James Harden contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds in only his second appearance for Cleveland since joining from the Los Angeles Clippers on 4 February. He previously scored 23 points in his Cavaliers debut three nights earlier. Harden played a pivotal role in reducing Denver’s 11-point advantage to 106-104, before the hosts responded through Christian Braun’s three-pointer and Jonas Valanciunas’ two successful free throws.
Mitchell’s alley-oop assist to Jarrett Allen, who posted 22 points and 13 rebounds, brought the Cavaliers within one point. Following a Nikola Jokic hook shot, Harden responded with a trademark step-back three-pointer to knot the score at 117 apiece with 32 seconds left. A missed attempt from Tim Hardaway gave Cleveland another opportunity, and Jamal Murray’s foul sent Mitchell to the line, where he calmly converted what proved to be the winning free throws.
Nikola Jokic reached his 183rd career triple-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, just two nights after surpassing Oscar Robertson for second place in all-time triple-doubles. Jokic, however, missed a last-second three-point attempt that would have snatched the win for Denver.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) | 32 | 1 | 10 |
| James Harden (Cavaliers) | 22 | 10 | 7 |
| Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers) | 22 | 13 | 1 |
| Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) | 22 | 14 | 11 |
| Jamal Murray (Nuggets) | 17 | 8 | 11 |
Team Trends and Upcoming Fixtures
With Monday’s result, Cleveland have emerged victorious in eight of their last nine fixtures. In contrast, Denver have endured a difficult patch, dropping four of their previous five games.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers are set to host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, while the Nuggets will play host to the Memphis Grizzlies on the same evening.
