Cavaliers beat 76ers 119-95 as LeBron James is held to 8 points in return to Cleveland

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers held LeBron James to eight points in his return to Northeast Ohio and rolled to a 119-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA Cup group stage game Friday night.

James — who elected to sign with Philadelphia in the offseason instead of returning for a third stint with Cleveland — was 3 of 12 from the field, including 0 for 4 on 3-pointers, in 31 minutes. James received a smattering of boos from Cavaliers fans every time he touched the ball during the first half and left the game with 3:54 remaining.

It was only the 10th time in his 24-year career that James has scored in single digits in the regular season. The Akron, Ohio, native's NBA-record run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 points ended on Dec. 4 last season in the Los Angeles Lakers' victory at Toronto.

Evan Mobley added 22 points for the Cavaliers, who bounced back after two losses to Oklahoma City. Mitchell also had seven rebounds and eight assists in 33 minutes. James Harden scored 17.

It was a rough night for the 76ers, who lost for only the second time in 10 games this season. They shot 36.5% from the field, including 10 of 40 on 3-pointers.

Jaylen Brown led Philadelphia with 20 points, VJ Edgecombe scored 19 and Tyrese Maxey had 17. Joel Embiid missed all nine of his shots from the field but was 6 of 6 from the line.

The Cavaliers out-rebounded the 76ers by 14 despite center Jarrett Allen being sidelined because of a bruised right knee. Mario Hezonja had 13 points and 10 rebounds off the bench while Peyton Watson, who missed the last two games with right hamstring tightness, had nine boards.

The Cavaliers led most of the game and took a 46-30 advantage three minutes into the second quarter on an alley-oop dunk by Mobley. Their biggest lead was 25 points in the fourth quarter.

76ers: At the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

Cavaliers: Host the New York Knicks on Saturday.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Philadelphia 76ers' VJ Edgecombe (77) passes as Cleveland Cavaliers' Sam Merrill (5) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden (1) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers' Jaylen Brown (7) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) drives as Philadelphia 76ers' LeBron James (23) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Philadelphia 76ers' LeBron James (23) looks to pass as Cleveland Cavaliers' Peyton Watson, rear, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 53 points and hit a key jumper in the lane with 28 seconds to play, carrying the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

Doncic produced his 11th career 50-point game and his fourth with Los Angeles while preserving a fourth straight win for the Lakers, whose late 12-point lead had dwindled to four before Doncic and Austin Reaves combined to score 10 points in the final seconds.

Reaves scored 25 points and Walker Kessler had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who avenged a 136-129 home loss to Portland on Oct. 27 with this NBA Cup victory.

Doncic scored 20 points in the third quarter alone to hit 40 for the sixth time in an incredible seven-game surge that includes six 40-point games — including four straight — and a 37-point performance.

The Slovenian superstar added five assists and five rebounds, giving him seven consecutive games with at least 35 points, five assists, five rebounds and five 3-pointers.

Deni Avdija had 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds and Damian Lillard scored 22 points for the Blazers, who lost for only the second time this season in the finale of their four-game road trip.

The Lakers trailed by 16 in the second quarter before surging to a 16-point lead of their own early in the fourth with a 32-11 run. Portland roared back and repeatedly got within four points, but no closer.

Doncic joined Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant and George Mikan as the only Lakers to score 40 points in four straight regular-season games. Doncic also passed Mikan for the fifth-most 40-point games in Lakers history — after just 101 regular-season games with Los Angeles.

The Lakers opened this game on their garish yellow tournament court by missing their first 15 3-point attempts into the second quarter. Doncic missed his first five 3-point attempts — but he banked in a 61-footer from the opposite free throw circle at the halftime buzzer.

Portland's big lead was erased in the third quarter when the Lakers scored 17 consecutive points. Doncic outscored the Blazers 20-15 in the third.

Trail Blazers: Host San Antonio on Saturday.

Lakers: At Detroit on Sunday.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

forward Deni Avdija, left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Ziaire Williams defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, tries to get by Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, shoots as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)