James Harden scores a season-high 32 points as the Cavaliers beat the Knicks 115-107

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden scored a season-high 32 points, more than double his average during a tough start to 2026-27, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the New York Knicks 115-107 on Wednesday night.

Donovan Mitchell added 23 for the Cavaliers in their first trip to Madison Square Garden since the Eastern Conference finals, when the Knicks erased a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter of Game 1 to win in overtime, then took Game 2 en route to a four-game sweep.

This time the Cavaliers were better down the stretch, with Harden hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer to snap a 101-all tie with 4:21 remaining. The three-time NBA scoring champion came in averaging 15.3 points for the season and shooting just 36.4% from the floor.

Jalen Brunson scored 27 for the Knicks, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, tying Willis Reed's franchise record with his 11th straight double-double to begin a season.

Cleveland kept opening leads throughout the second half that New York would either nearly or entirely erase, only to quickly surge ahead again. The Cavs went ahead 95-85 with 8:25 remaining, but the Knicks responded with a 14-4 run to tie it.

With the Cavs ahead by one, Evan Mobley scored before Jarrett Allen got the next four points, including a ferocious dunk to make it 110-103.

Allen had 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavs, who had lost two in a row, including at home to the Knicks on Saturday.

Harden was 4 for 4 in the second quarter, with three 3-pointers, for 13 points as the Cavaliers took a 59-53 lead at the half.

Cavaliers: Visit Miami on Friday night.

Knicks: Visit Indiana on Friday night.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) dunks the ball in front of New York Knicks' Og Anunoby (8) and Mikal Bridges (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45), center, drives past New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) and Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell drives past New York Knicks' Josh Hart, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) dunks the ball in front of New York Knicks' Mohamed Diawara (51), Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Deni Avdija had 28 points, Damian Lillard scored 18 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers completed a two-game sweep of the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 118-108 win on Wednesday night.

Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 31 points, including 23 in the second half, as the Thunder coughed up a fourth-quarter lead. Isaiah Hartenstein had 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Portland center Donovan Clingan had 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Jrue Holiday pitched in 19 points off the bench.

Oklahoma City trailed by 12 in the third quarter, but a 3-pointer by Nique Clifford tied the game at 88 with 11:11 left. A loose ball led to a layup by Kenrich Williams to give the Thunder their first lead since the first half and forcing a Blazers timeout with 10:41 left.

Portland’s stars rallied the Blazers, with Avdija and Lillard scoring 20 of their 30 fourth-quarter points. Lillard’s 3-pointer with 6:17 left cut the lead to 94-93. After free throws by Gilgeous-Alexander and a putback by Robert Williams III, Portland took the lead back 99-98 on free throws by Avdija with 5:24 left.

A floater by Lillard made it 108-100 with 2 minutes left. Free throws by Gilgeous-Alexander made it 108-102, only for Lillard to answer with a driving layup to make it 110-102. Jared McCain's 3-pointer with 1:19 left pulled OKC within 110-105. But Lillard’s free throws made it 112-105 with a minute left.

After trailing by as many as nine, Portland closed the 1st half on a 15-4 run. After technical foul on OKC coach Mark Daigenault made it 51-45, Holiday hit a 3-pointer with 1:13 left to make it 54-45.

Oklahoma City: Visits the L.A. Clippers on Friday night.

Portland: Visits Sacramento on Friday night.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) high fives guard Jrue Holiday after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III, right, and forward Toumani Camara during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija reacts after making a three point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)