Harden scores 23 in Cavaliers debut, Mitchell leads with 35 in 132-126 win over Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — James Harden scored 23 points in his Cavaliers debut and Donovan Mitchell had 35, including a free throw that sealed the win with 35 seconds remaining, in Cleveland's 132-126 victory over Sacramento on Saturday night that sent the Kings to their 12th straight loss.

Harden was acquired by Cleveland from the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday for Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick. He shot 7 for 13, including 5 for 8 from 3-point range, and had eight assists.

Jarrett Allen had 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who won for the eighth time in nine games.

Nique Clifford scored 30 points to lead Sacramento, which hasn’t won since beating Washington at home on Jan. 16. Russell Westbrook added 21 points and nine assists for the Kings, who have lost six straight at home.

The Cavaliers went into halftime leading 57-55, but the Kings took the lead in the third quarter at 96-93. Mitchell scored 29 points of his points in the second half for the Cavaliers.

Cavaliers: At Denver on Monday night.

Kings: At New Orleans on Monday night.

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Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) drives to the basket with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) takes a shot over Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (5) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, left, dive for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) attempts to pass over Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

CHICAGO (AP) — Nikola Jokic got another game ball from his Denver Nuggets teammates after yet another triple-double. This one, though, was a bit more special than the others.

It made some NBA history.

Jokic had 22 points, 17 assists and 14 rebounds to pass Oscar Robertson for No. 2 on the league's career list with his 182nd regular-season triple-doubles, leading the Nuggets to a 136-120 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

“He is a legendary player,” Jokic said of Robertson, who was the first player to average a triple-double in a full season in 1961-62. “Any player who steps into this league knows he’s a global legend.”

The three-time NBA MVP and eight-time All-Star is making his own mark on the game, too. The triple-double was Jokic's 19th this season and second in as many games. He trails only Russell Westbrook, who has 207, on the career list. Westbrook (four), Jokic (two) and Robertson (one) are the only NBA players to average triple-doubles in a season.

Nuggets coach David Adelman, who had been with the organization since Jokic's third season in 2017, said he still catches himself being amazed by the 6-foot-11 Serbian center.

“When your center gets 17 assists in a game — that just doesn’t happen,” Adelman said. “Unless it’s him.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable what he’s done.”

Teammate Jamal Murray said he expects even more from Jokic, who’ll turn 31 on Feb. 19.

“He’s got a lot of that left,” he said. “It’s going to be a Usain Bolt record when he sets it. He’s going to have that for a long time.”

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

Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35), right, slides out of bounds as he fouls Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15), right, handles the ball as Chicago Bulls center Nick Richards (13) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15), right, handles the ball as Chicago Bulls center Nick Richards (13) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) sticks his hands in his jersey during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)