Donovan Mitchell scores 33 points, Cavaliers outlast short-handed Nuggets 113-108

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and Darius Garland had 18 points and eight assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the short-handed Denver Nuggets 113-108 on Friday night.

De’Andre Hunter added 16 points and Jarrett Allen had eight points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who trailed 105-101 with 4:43 remaining before scoring 10 consecutive points. Garland’s 3-pointer put them ahead for good with 2:13 left.

Jamal Murray scored 28 of his 34 points in the first half for the Nuggets, who played their second game without superstar center Nikola Jokic. The three-time MVP hyperextended his left knee at Miami on Dec. 29 and will miss at least a month.

Peyton Watson had 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15, but missed eight of their nine shots in the fourth quarter as Denver was outscored 24-11. Murray also had six rebounds and seven assists, finishing 12 for 28 from the field.

Three additional Nuggets starters were inactive in forwards Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and Cam Johnson (right knee soreness), and guard Christian Braun (left ankle sprain). Backup center Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain) also is out for a month.

The Cavaliers took advantage of their absences, dominating the rebounding battle 55-32. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley had eight points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, but missed all five of his free throws.

Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and Allen were all in the starting lineup for just the seventh time this season, winning for the fifth time. The Cavaliers have played an NBA-high 21 home games and are 13-8 at Rocket Arena.

Lonzo Ball saw his first action in three games for Cleveland, scoring six points in 15 minutes. Ball was taken out of the rotation in favor of Craig Porter Jr., who had 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Nuggets: Visit Brooklyn on Sunday.

Cavaliers: Host Detroit on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) shoots in front of Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley, rear, and next to guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson gestures in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin (35) grabs a rebound in front of Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji, rear, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points and the San Antonio Spurs won their first game since Victor Wembanyama injured his left knee, beating the Indiana 123-113 on Friday night for the Pacers' 11th straight loss.

Wembanyama hyperextended his knee Wednesday night in a home victory over New York. An MRI showed no ligament damage and the 7-foot-4 center stayed in San Antonio to rehabilitate the injury.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama is day-to-day but wouldn’t rule out the possibility he could play against Portland on Saturday night in San Antonio. The Spurs are 10-3 with Wembanyama doesn’t play.

Dylan Harper added 22 points for the Spurs, and Stephon Castle had 19.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard had 19 points, and Micah Potter added 16 in his first start in five games with Pacers.

The Pacers shot 51% while the Spurs made 44% overall. San Antonio made 22 of 28 free throws while Indiana was 13 of 15.

The Spurs scored the first six points of the third quarter to to make it 77-58. The Pacers regrouped to cut it to 93-85 after three quarters. San Antonio maintained control throughout the fourth quarter.

Spurs Host Portland on Saturday night.

Pacers: At Orlando on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) makes contact with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, right, tips a rebound in to score during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk, right, scores over the top of Indiana Pacers center James Wiseman (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)