Evan Mobley and James Harden lead the way as Cavaliers beat short-handed Bucks 123-116

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Evan Mobley had 27 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, and James Harden also scored 27 as the Cleveland Cavaliers opened a three-game trip by beating the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks 123-116 on Tuesday night.

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. This was the career-high 32nd game the two-time MVP has missed this season, and the Bucks fell to 11-21 without him.

The Bucks also didn't have Myles Turner because of a right calf strain. Cleveland's Jarrett Allen missed a sixth straight game because of tendinitis in his right knee.

In a game featuring 11 ties and 16 lead changes, Cleveland pulled ahead for good 103-100 on Sam Merrill's 3-pointer with 6:55 remaining, which started an 8-0 run.

Milwaukee cut the lead to 110-106 on an Ousmane Dieng's 3-pointer with 3:39 left, but Cleveland responded with seven straight points. The Cavs stayed in front by at least five the rest of the way.

Milwaukee's Kevin Porter Jr. had 25 points and 10 assists. Dieng, Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins added 19 points each.

Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell scored 19 points. Merrill added 17 points in his return from a two-game absence due to left hamstring tightness.

Milwaukee’s Taurean Prince played 22 minutes and scored eight points in his first start of the season. Prince, who has played just 10 games this season, returned earlier this month after undergoing surgery in November to repair a herniated disk in his neck.

The Bucks shot 20 of 45 from 3-point range, and their bench outscored Cleveland's 57-24. The Cavs compensated with a commanding edge from the foul line, going 27 of 34 while the Bucks were 12 of 17.

Cavaliers: At Chicago on Thursday.

Bucks: At Utah on Thursday.

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

Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden (1) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Ryan Rollins during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Dennis Schroder (8) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Ousmane Dieng during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden (1) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks' Kevin Porter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) shoots between Milwaukee Bucks' Kyle Kuzma (18) and Kevin Porter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

CHICAGO (AP) — Nick Foligno wants to help the Minnesota Wild win the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. He also wants to see a turnaround for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Foligno skated for 12 1/2 minutes in Minnesota's 4-3 overtime win over Chicago on Tuesday night in the first matchup between the Central Division rivals since the Wild acquired the 38-year-old forward in a trade with the rebuilding Blackhawks.

Foligno received a warm ovation when he was introduced with Minnesota's starting lineup, and Chicago paid tribute to its former captain with a highlight video during a timeout in the first period. When the video was over, Foligno took to the ice to wave to the cheering crowd.

“I think it's always nice when a former player, but not only a former player, a captain comes back to their old team and gets a reception like that,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “So I thought it was well done by the Blackhawks, the fans, and really good for Nick.”

The March 6 trade put Foligno on the same team as his younger brother, Marcus, and provided an opportunity to chase a long playoff run in his 19th NHL season. But leaving Chicago — after playing an instrumental role in the development of Connor Bedard and some of the team's young players — was difficult for him.

“As hard as maybe a couple parts of the seasons were, I love my time here and absolutely cherish being in the leadership role that I was but also just with a group of guys and then staff and playing for this organization,” Foligno said Tuesday. “It's one of the premier organizations in the league and it was special to be able to be a part of it.”

Foligno had dinner with Bedard and some of the Blackhawks on Monday night.

“Obviously it's such a rush when you get traded, especially on a game day. You're trying to stay out of their way,” Foligno said. “So it's nice to say goodbye in a way. Just catch up and see how things have been. I've obviously made it known how much I care about this group, so it was nice to see those guys.”

Foligno was acquired by Chicago in a June 2023 trade with Boston. He became the 35th captain in franchise history in September 2024.

Foligno had 35 goals and 48 assists in 189 games with Chicago, and the Blackhawks finished in last place in the Central Division in each of his two full seasons with the Original Six franchise. But Foligno served as a valuable, stabilizing resource as the team's top prospects began to break into the NHL.

“He was great with all of us,” Bedard said. “Him and all our older guys were really patient and good with us. So we’re very grateful for that. Obviously he was the leader of that, so there’s a lot of stuff we can thank him for. It’s an exciting opportunity for him to be with his brother and contending, but yeah, definitely a lot of good memories.”

Marcus Foligno, 34, is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, so the brothers haven't been able to play alongside each other since the trade. But Nick Foligno has made a smooth transition to life with Minnesota, collecting one assist in six games with his new team.

“He's come in, he's played some good hockey for us,” Hynes said. “I think he fits in well with the guys obviously with his personality and I think his experiences. So he's been a great addition for us.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Minnesota Wild left wing Nick Foligno (71) raises his hand as the Chicago Blackhawks honor him, as he was a former member of their team, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March, 17, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman, middle right, celebrates with left wing Nick Foligno (71) after scoring a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)