On Monday night at Ball Arena in Denver, the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a deep deficit to defeat the Denver Nuggets 119-117, clinching the final game of a 12-day, five-city road trip. Donovan Mitchell made two free throws with 0.9 seconds remaining to put Cleveland ahead, while James Harden tied the game earlier with a step-back 3. The victory extended the Cavs to four straight wins and nine wins in their last 10 games, capping a taxing stretch that included a franchise-altering trade and multiple long road nights. The result leaves Cleveland with momentum heading into the All-Star break.
Key Takeaways
- Cleveland won 119-117 in Denver, completing the road trip with a 4-1 record and a nine-in-10 run overall.
- Donovan Mitchell led the game with 32 points and added 10 assists; his final two free throws with 0.9 seconds left produced the decisive lead.
- James Harden finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, including a go-ahead step-back 3 that tied the game at 117 late in the fourth.
- Jarrett Allen posted 22 points and 13 rebounds, his fourth consecutive double-double while defending Nikola Jokic throughout the night.
- Nikola Jokic recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists for Denver; Christian Braun and Julian Strawther each scored 20 points.
- Denver led for nearly 43 minutes of the game; Cleveland held the lead for only 1 minute, 34 seconds before Mitchell’s free throws.
- The Cavs closed strong, scoring on seven of their last eight possessions and outscoring Denver 32-25 in the fourth quarter.
Background
The game was the last stop of an exhausting 12-day, five-city swing and the penultimate contest before the NBA All-Star break. Cleveland entered the night as three-point underdogs against a healthy Nuggets squad at altitude, a setting that historically magnifies fatigue and favors Denver’s spacing and Jokic’s playmaking. The matchup also represented only the second game since the Cavaliers acquired James Harden, a trade that reshaped both Cleveland’s rotation and expectations for the remainder of the season. Injuries left the Cavs shorthanded: Evan Mobley (calf strain), Dean Wade (ankle) and Max Strus (offseason foot surgery) were unavailable, increasing the burden on Mitchell, Allen and newly added depth.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, were missing Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson to hamstring issues but still deployed a largely intact core centered on Nikola Jokic. Denver’s depth rotation includes veterans and young wings who can stretch the floor, creating matchup problems for teams that lack length or agility. With both clubs eyeing posture and positioning ahead of the All-Star break, the game carried significance beyond a single win: it tested Cleveland’s stamina, cohesion, and how quickly Harden’s presence could integrate into late-game execution. Coach Kenny Atkinson framed the matchup as a resilience test before tipoff, a line of questioning that the evening’s finish would come to answer.
Main Event
The Cavs opened energetically with a 6-0 run but ceded control quickly as Denver dominated most of the first half, leading for nearly 21 minutes before halftime. Cleveland’s first lead after the early minutes did not arrive until midway through the third quarter, when Harden’s free throws briefly put them ahead; that advantage lasted only seconds before the Nuggets responded. Denver maintained a five-point margin entering the fourth and extended it to 11 early in the period, matching its largest lead of the night at the 10:01 mark.
Cleveland chipped away steadily in the fourth, cutting the gap to four at the midway point and trimming it to two within the next minute. The game tightened to a one-point margin multiple times—at 2:50, 2:14 and 1:40—before Harden’s trademark step-back 3 with roughly 30 seconds left tied the score at 117. On the ensuing Nuggets possession, a clean pass from Jokic found Tim Hardaway Jr. open for a potential go-ahead 3; he missed, and Jarrett Allen secured the defensive rebound.
Coach Atkinson elected not to call timeout after the rebound, trusting the Cavaliers to advance the ball and run a play in rhythm. That decision set up Donovan Mitchell’s late push: he pushed in transition, created space as the defense scrambled, and drew a foul with 0.9 seconds on the clock. Mitchell sank both free throws to give Cleveland the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. Denver had a final shot from Jokic on the inbounds, but it failed to hit iron, and the Cavs celebrated a come-from-behind win.
Statistically, Cleveland’s fourth-quarter surge defined the night: the Cavs scored on seven of their last eight possessions and outscored Denver 32-25 in the period. Mitchell’s 32 points and 10 assists anchored the offense, Harden’s late scoring and playmaking steadied crunch-time possessions, and Allen’s interior defense and putbacks disrupted Jokic’s rhythm on key possessions. The win also validated recent roster moves, showing that the Cavs can close tight games against a championship-caliber opponent even when missing starters.
Analysis & Implications
The victory offers immediate validation of the Cavaliers’ recent roster changes, particularly the impact of James Harden in late-game offense and ball-stopping. Harden’s step-back 3 to tie the game and his playmaking across 10 rebounds and seven assists illustrated how his skill set can relieve offensive pressure from Donovan Mitchell and open driving lanes for Jarrett Allen. Cleveland’s ability to execute without a timeout in the final sequence also points to growing in-game chemistry despite limited practice time together.
From a strategic perspective, the Cavs’ fourth-quarter performance shows improved decision-making in transition and a better allocation of shots to elite scorers when it matters most. Jarrett Allen’s fourth straight double-double underscores how interior presence remains a decisive factor against Denver; his physicality on Jokic and rebounding on the defensive glass limited Denver’s second-chance opportunities late. Conversely, the Nuggets’ extended leads earlier imply Cleveland must balance faster starts with consistent defensive intensity to avoid large deficits.
Looking ahead, the result has ripple effects for both teams heading into the All-Star break. For Cleveland, the win cements momentum and grants a psychological edge—especially for a roster integrating a high-usage star midseason. For Denver, the loss highlights vulnerabilities in closing out possessions and containing transition scoring. Both clubs will monitor health updates—particularly for Evan Mobley and Aaron Gordon—before adjusting rotations; any sustained absences could shape strategies for the next phase of the season.
Comparison & Data
| Measure | Cleveland (This Game) | Context / Road Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 119-117 | Close win, one-possession finish |
| Last 10 games | 9-1 | Strong recent stretch for Cavs |
| Road trip record | 4-1 | Completed 5-game trip with four wins |
| Fourth-quarter scoring | 32 points (Cavs) vs 25 (Nuggets) | Cavs outscored Denver by 7 in Q4 |
| Lead time | Cavs led 1:34 total | Denver led nearly 43:00 of game clock |
The table highlights the contrast between Cleveland’s modest control of the game clock and its effectiveness in decisive moments. While Denver held a commanding share of the lead time, Cleveland’s superior fourth-quarter efficiency and late-game execution overturned the minute-by-minute advantage. The Cavs’ 9-1 record across 10 games signals sustained form rather than an isolated hot streak, and the 4-1 road trip outcome demonstrates resilience under travel and altitude stress. These numbers suggest the Cavaliers are trending upward as they integrate new pieces.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized the team’s collective resolve after the win, crediting effort and execution rather than luck for the late comeback. He framed the night as an example of sticking to the game plan even when circumstances were unfavorable.
“We just stuck with it. Our end of game execution was pretty much perfect.”
Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers (coach)
Donovan Mitchell described the mood in the locker room and the belief that the group carried through the entire game. His final free throws were the product of a patient drive and situational awareness.
“We had been saying it all game — that we were right there. It’s a testament to who we have on the team.”
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (guard)
James Harden also noted the importance of rhythm and trust on late possessions, with teammates responding as the situation tightened. His step-back triple and all-around contribution were highlighted as integral to the comeback.
“We go in those situations. You just have a much better chance to score if you don’t call the timeout.”
James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers (guard)
Unconfirmed
- Long-term chemistry between James Harden and the Cavaliers remains an open question; early results are promising but long-term fit requires more games and practice time to confirm.
- Full recovery timelines for Evan Mobley and the exact return dates for Dean Wade have not been publicly detailed; updates depend on team medical evaluations and have not been officially announced.
Bottom Line
Cleveland’s 119-117 victory in Denver is more than a close win on the road; it is a practical demonstration that the Cavs can close against elite competition while integrating a newly acquired star. Donovan Mitchell’s late composure and James Harden’s timely scoring showed complementary roles that could pay dividends down the stretch. Jarrett Allen’s physical defense and rebounding remain central to the team’s ability to contest Jokic and secure possessions.
As the Cavaliers return home for one final game before the All-Star break, the immediate takeaway is momentum and validated roster construction. Attention now turns to health updates and how the coaching staff will allocate minutes with Harden in the mix. The next weeks will determine whether this stretch is the start of a sustained leap forward or an encouraging but early sign of what the team could become.
Sources
- Cleveland.com game report (local news)
- NBA.com game box score and official statistics (league official)
- Cleveland Cavaliers official site (team official)