Key Takeaways:
- James Harden amassed 21 points, surpassing 29,000 career points last night and becoming the ninth player in NBA history to achieve this feat
- The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 115-101 victory at home against the Philadelphia 76ers, marking their 18th win in the last 24 games
- Philadelphia, missing their top four scorers, have now slipped to eighth in the Eastern Conference after dropping four of their past five games
Game Analysis: Cavaliers Dominate Short-Handed 76ers
On Monday evening in Cleveland, the Cavaliers powered their way to a commanding 115-101 triumph over the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers. James Harden led the charge with 21 points, reaching a rare milestone by becoming only the ninth player in NBA history to surpass 29,000 career points. Harden achieved the landmark early, sinking a free throw in the first quarter and ending the night with a career tally of 29,017 points after 17 professional seasons.
Keon Ellis delivered a notable performance off the bench, contributing 19 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 17 points along with six assists. Evan Mobley also played a key role, posting 15 points and securing eight rebounds for Cleveland.
Bounce back!
📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/KKb0fJgC6B @Redfin | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/o1Wds72C2G
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 10, 2026
Cleveland’s Strong Run Continues
The Cavaliers have maintained impressive form at home, winning eight out of their last nine fixtures in Cleveland since 23 January, with their only recent defeat coming against Boston on Sunday. Their overall record now includes 18 victories in the last 24 games, firmly placing them in fourth position in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing New York by a single game.
76ers Struggle Without Stars
Philadelphia fielded a depleted roster, missing All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain), Joel Embiid (right oblique strain), Paul George (league suspension), and VJ Edgecombe (lumbar contusion) – players who combine for an average of 86.9 points per game. Without their leading scorers, the 76ers have now lost four of their last five contests, including two consecutive defeats, causing them to drop to eighth in the Eastern Conference.
Quentin Grimes led the 76ers with 17 points, supported by Justin Edwards with 14, and Cameron Payne added 12 points. Grimes scored 14 points in the first half, but Philadelphia trailed 56-44 at the break and failed to seriously threaten Cleveland thereafter.
Key Individual Performances and Milestones
Harden’s milestone was the highlight of the evening, with nine of his 21 points arriving during a decisive third quarter when Cleveland stretched their advantage to 84-59. Keon Ellis made significant contributions in the first half, notching 14 points and converting four three-pointers, while helping the Cavaliers establish multiple 17-point leads after first taking control at 19-18.
The match also marked Cleveland’s fourth victory over the 76ers during the season series, amassing a total of 497 points across the four meetings.
On the injury front, Cavaliers centre Jarrett Allen missed his second successive game due to right knee tendinitis.
| Team | Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | James Harden | 21 | 5 | 5 |
| Donovan Mitchell | 17 | 6 | 3 | |
| Evan Mobley | 15 | 1 | 8 | |
| Keon Ellis | 19 | 0 | 2 | |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Quentin Grimes | 17 | 3 | 5 |
| Justin Edwards | 14 | 3 | 2 | |
| Cameron Payne | 12 | 4 | 6 |
Looking Ahead
The Philadelphia 76ers are scheduled to host Memphis on Tuesday night, seeking to halt their slide. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers will travel to Philadelphia for a rematch on Wednesday night as they look to continue their strong run.
