James Harden reaches 29,000-point plateau as Cavs rip 76ers

Field Level Media|published: Mon 9th March, 22:06 2026

Mar 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) looks to pass as Philadelphia 76ers guard Cameron Payne (20) defends during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

James Harden scored 21 points and fellow trade-deadline acquisition Keon Ellis added 19, lifting the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-101 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

Harden, who is in his 17th season, reached the 29,000-career point milestone in the first quarter and finished the game with 29,017 points, good for ninth place on the all-time scoring list. Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain is eighth with 31,419 points.

The Cavaliers won for the eighth time in nine home games, one day after being soundly beaten in their arena by the Boston Celtics 109-98. They are 23-9 since Dec. 29 and have moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Donovan Mitchell chipped in 17 points and six assists for Cleveland, which led by 25 and won all four games over the short-handed 76ers this season. Evan Mobley scored 15 points and Dean Wade had 13 points and 10 assists.

Quentin Grimes scored 17 points and Justin Edwards had 14 points off the bench for the 76ers. Cameron Payne, starting in place of All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain), had 12 points and six rebounds.

Maxey (right finger sprain), center Joel Embiid (right oblique strain), forward Paul George (league suspension) and guard VJ Edgecombe (lumbar contusion) -- Philadelphia's top four scorers -- were inactive.

The league leader with 1,767 points, Maxey will miss at least one additional game after X-rays and an MRI revealed no broken bones in his hand. Coach Nick Nurse said he will visit a specialist later this week.

Ellis, Mitchell and Harden combined for 39 points in the first half, giving Cleveland a 56-44 advantage after jumping in front by as many as 17 points. Ellis and Grimes matched each other with 14, while Payne had nine points and five rebounds.

The Cavaliers took their initial lead at 19-18 on an Ellis 3-pointer with 2:27 remaining in the first quarter and never looked back.

Cleveland led, 86-66, after three quarters.

Mitchell (9 of 9) and Harden (6 of 6) made all 15 of their free throw attempts as Cleveland sunk 23 of 25 overall (92%). Ellis led the charge from behind the arc, knocking down 4 of 7.

Cleveland center Jarrett Allen (right knee tendonitis) and rookie guard Tyrese Proctor (right quadriceps strain) both missed their second straight games.

--Field Level Media

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