CHICAGO โ The Cleveland Cavaliers weathered a significant test on Thursday evening, holding off a furious Chicago Bulls comeback to secure a 115-110 victory at the United Center. The win came without the services of Donovan Mitchell, the team's star wing who sat out due to a bruised left eye sustained during practice.
James Harden delivered a masterful offensive performance, pouring in 36 points while connecting on seven three-pointers to lead the Cavaliers' charge. His scoring prowess proved instrumental in offsetting Mitchell's absence, as he orchestrated Cleveland's attack with precision throughout the evening. Harden's most crucial contribution came down the stretch, when he calmly knocked down a pull-up jumper with just 33 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Evan Mobley provided elite two-way production, recording 26 points and 14 rebounds as he dominated the glass and the paint. Jaylon Tyson added complementary scoring with 18 points to go along with 11 boards, helping the Cavaliers control the tempo and limit Chicago's second-chance opportunities. Sam Merrill also contributed when it mattered most, drilling a crucial three-pointer in the game's final moments to help ice the contest.
The Cavaliers appeared to be cruising to an easy victory after establishing a commanding 29-point lead in the third quarter. However, the Bulls mounted an impressive comeback that brought the home crowd back into the game. Chicago clawed their way back into contention, cutting what seemed like an insurmountable deficit down to just one point as the closing minutes approached. The tension in the arena mounted as the Bulls threatened to complete a remarkable fourth-quarter turnaround.
Tre Jones spearheaded Chicago's rally, finishing with 20 points and creating pressure in the final moments. His two free throws with 3:33 remaining cut Cleveland's lead to 103-102, making the game suddenly competitive once again. Rob Dillingham contributed a season-high 17 points off the bench, while Nick Richards chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds in a solid performance.
The Cavaliers' inability to put away the Bulls despite their massive lead underscores the unpredictability of the NBA season. However, they ultimately made the plays that mattered most when it counted. After Jones missed a potential game-tying three-pointer and Leonard Miller missed a layup with roughly one minute remaining, Harden's clutch jumper provided the necessary cushion for Cleveland to survive.
Mitchell's injury occurred during a practice collision with Mobley and was initially feared to be more serious. The seven-time All-Star had gutted out Tuesday's victory at Milwaukee with the injury, finishing with 19 points on inefficient 4-for-14 shooting before indicating afterward that he was having trouble seeing. Coach Kenny Atkinson offered a reassuring assessment of the situation, saying the injury is "nothing serious," but cautioned that the Cavaliers need to "let it clear up."
The loss marked Chicago's fourth defeat in their last five games, extending a concerning stretch that has derailed their season momentum. The Bulls will look to get back on track when they host the Houston Rockets on Monday. Meanwhile, Cleveland travels to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday as they continue their push through the regular season despite navigating injuries to key players.