Lead: In Cleveland on Feb. 11, 2026, the Cavaliers overwhelmed the Washington Wizards 138-113 as Sam Merrill posted a career-high 32 points and Donovan Mitchell added 30. James Harden made his first home appearance in Cleveland since the Feb. 4 trade, finishing with 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes. Cleveland stretched its win streak to five games and has now won 10 of 11 overall. Washington dropped its third straight and fourth in five games.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Merrill scored a career-high 32 points and was a perfect 9-for-9 from the floor in the first half; he finished 11-of-12 overall and 9-of-10 on 3-pointers.
- Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, marking his 28th 30-point game of the season; he ranks fifth in the NBA at 29.0 points per game.
- James Harden recorded 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes — his second double-double in three games since the Cavaliers acquired him on Feb. 4.
- Jarrett Allen contributed 21 points and nine rebounds, anchoring Cleveland’s interior play.
- Washington’s Kyshawn George scored 17 and Jamir Watkins 16, but the Wizards could not sustain a second-half charge.
- Cleveland leads the season series dominance: the Cavs have beaten the Wizards 15 straight times dating to 2022, the franchise’s second-longest run versus one opponent.
- Cleveland led 76-61 at halftime; Washington cut the margin early in the third but never closed within single digits again.
Background
The Cavaliers entered this game amid a surge: five consecutive wins and 10 victories in their last 11 outings. Cleveland’s offense has been firing from multiple angles, with Mitchell continuing to produce at an elite scoring clip while role players have provided timely shooting. The Feb. 4 trade that brought James Harden to Cleveland remains a fresh storyline; Harden’s integration into the rotation and locker room is being watched as teams near the league’s midseason mark.
The Wizards have struggled to find consistent form, losing three straight games and four of five. Washington’s roster is balancing young scorers and role players while trying to arrest a slide that has seen defensive lapses and streaky shooting. The matchup also carried the additional narrative of Cleveland’s lengthy winning streak over Washington, a statistical edge that speaks to roster and matchup mismatches since 2022.
Main Event
Sam Merrill dominated early. He scored 26 first-half points and made all nine of his first-half field-goal attempts, including seven 3-pointers, powering a first-half Cavalier surge. His hot start helped Cleveland build a 74-55 lead late in the second quarter, sparked by a 16-5 run that flipped momentum firmly in the home team’s favor.
In total Merrill finished 11 of 12 from the field and 9 of 10 from deep, producing a career-high 32 points off the bench. Donovan Mitchell supplied 30 more points, his 28th 30-plus game of the season, and Jarrett Allen added 21 points and nine rebounds to control the paint. Harden’s stat line — 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes — included just 1-of-4 from the field but 10-of-12 from the foul line, underscoring a still-developing shot rhythm combined with playmaking impact.
Washington attempted a third-quarter reply, opening the half on a 12-2 run that cut Cleveland’s lead to five, but the Cavaliers steadied and rebuilt separation. By the end of the third quarter Cleveland held a 108-89 advantage and closed out the fourth with comfortable margin. The Wizards’ offense produced pockets of scoring but could not sustain pressure against Cleveland’s balanced attack.
Analysis & Implications
Cleveland’s performance emphasized depth and spacing. Merrill’s shooting outburst forced the Wizards to make defensive adjustments that opened lanes for Mitchell and Allen; the result was a multi-pronged attack that Washington struggled to contain. Merrill’s efficiency (11-of-12 FG, 9-of-10 3PT) is statistically rare and provided an immediate scoring boost off the bench that opponents will need to plan for in future matchups.
James Harden’s early Cleveland sample remains mixed but promising. His assist totals show playmaking value — 11 assists in tonight’s game — while subpar field shooting suggests he is still finding timing with new teammates. The line of 10 free throws made indicates Harden’s ability to draw contact and generate possessions, a stabilizing trait for Cleveland in late-game situations.
For the Wizards, offensive creation beyond isolated scoring remains a challenge. Kyshawn George and Jamir Watkins provided scoring but lacked consistent secondary playmaking to relieve pressure on Washington’s creators. If Washington is to rebound, it will need improved spacing and defensive consistency to prevent opposing guards from generating open catch-and-shoot opportunities like those Merrill converted.
Comparison & Data
| Player | Points | Notable line |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Merrill | 32 | 11-12 FG, 9-10 3PT |
| Donovan Mitchell | 30 | 28th 30-point game (29.0 PPG) |
| James Harden | 13 | 1-4 FG, 10-12 FT, 11 AST |
| Jarrett Allen | 21 | 9 REB |
| Kyshawn George | 17 | Team-high for Wizards |
| Jamir Watkins | 16 | Secondary scoring |
The table highlights the day’s statistical leaders and unusual shooting lines — notably Merrill’s near-perfect efficiency. Original box-score play-by-play supplies full minute and shot-distribution data; the items above reflect the facts reported by the game recap. These numbers illustrate a gap between Cleveland’s balanced attack and Washington’s reliance on individual scoring bursts.
Reactions & Quotes
Coaches and analysts noted the offensive outburst and Merrill’s improbable hot half.
“It was the third time in franchise history a player had been perfect when making nine or more shot attempts in the first half,”
ESPN recap
Observers also flagged Harden’s playmaking as a key early benefit of the trade despite uneven shooting.
“He had 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes,”
Game box score / AP
Statistical context underlined Mitchell’s scoring consistency across the season.
“Mitchell is fifth in the league at 29.0 points per game,”
ESPN season statistics
Unconfirmed
- The long-term effect of the Harden trade on Cleveland’s playoff ceiling remains undetermined and will depend on chemistry and health in coming weeks.
- Any latent minor injuries or management decisions behind tonight’s rotations were not disclosed in the official game report.
Bottom Line
Cleveland’s 138-113 win combined historic bench shooting with steady star production to produce a comfortable victory. Sam Merrill’s career-high and Donovan Mitchell’s scoring kept the offense moving, while Jarrett Allen and Harden supplied complementary production in the frontcourt and as a distributor, respectively.
For the Cavaliers, the game reinforced roster depth and offered an encouraging preview of how Harden might fit in the rotation. The Wizards face a clear need to shore up defensive cohesion and diversify offensive creation if they hope to halt their slide and contain high-efficiency shooters like Merrill in future meetings.