James Harden scored 21 points and moved into ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list as the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 115–101 victory over the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Harden reached the 29,000-point milestone early, knocking down a first-quarter free throw to surpass the mark. The veteran guard finished the night with 29,017 career points in his 17th NBA season.
Donovan Mitchell added 17 points and six assists for Cleveland, while Evan Mobley contributed 15 points and eight rebounds. Keon Ellis provided a spark off the bench with 19 points, including four three-pointers in the first half.
Cleveland continued its strong run at home, improving to 8–1 since Jan. 23 and winning 18 of its last 24 games overall. The Cavaliers sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the New York Knicks.
Quentin Grimes led Philadelphia with 17 points, while Cameron Payne added 12 and Justin Edwards chipped in 14. The 76ers have now lost two straight and four of their last five, slipping to eighth in the East.
Philadelphia was severely shorthanded, playing without its four leading scorers: Tyrese Maxey (finger sprain), Joel Embiid (oblique strain), Paul George (league suspension) and VJ Edgecombe (lumbar contusion).
Harden scored nine points in the third quarter as Cleveland pushed its lead to 84–59 and eventually completed a four-game season sweep of Philadelphia, scoring a combined 497 points across the series.
Ellis’ strong first half helped Cleveland build multiple 17-point leads after taking its first advantage at 19–18. The Cavaliers carried a 56–44 lead into halftime.
Cleveland also played without center Jarrett Allen, who missed his second straight game with right knee tendinitis.
Up next: Philadelphia returns home to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, while Cleveland travels to face the 76ers on Wednesday.
