Cavaliers Defeat Nuggets in High-Scoring Affair

Harden's debut helps Cleveland extend win streak to four games

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Denver Nuggets 124-118 in a high-scoring Monday night matchup at Ball Arena. The Cavaliers, led by newly acquired star James Harden, extended their winning streak to four games as they continue their push through the Western Conference. The Nuggets, playing without key injured players Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, struggled to contain the Cavaliers' offensive firepower.

Why it matters

This game showcased the Cavaliers' ability to win on the road against a tough Western Conference opponent, further solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Nuggets' loss, despite playing at home, raises questions about their depth and ability to compete without their full roster.

The details

The Cavaliers were led by Harden, who scored 32 points and dished out 11 assists in his debut with the team. Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder also made key contributions off the bench, with Ellis scoring 16 points and Schroder recording 8 assists. For the Nuggets, Cam Johnson stepped up with 24 points, but it was not enough to overcome the Cavaliers' offensive onslaught.

  • The game was played on Monday, February 9, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

The players

James Harden

A 10-time NBA All-Star and former league MVP, Harden was recently acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade and made his debut with the team in this game.

Cam Johnson

A 24-year-old forward for the Nuggets, Johnson stepped up with 24 points in the losing effort.

Keon Ellis

A second-year guard who was recently traded to the Cavaliers, Ellis scored 16 points off the bench in his second game with the team.

Dennis Schroder

A veteran point guard who was also acquired by the Cavaliers at the trade deadline, Schroder recorded 8 assists in the win.

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What they’re saying

“James Harden's debut was a huge boost for us. He really got us going offensively and helped us pull out this tough road win.”

— Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers Guard (Cleveland.com)

“We just couldn't find a way to slow them down tonight. Credit to the Cavaliers, they came in here and took care of business.”

— Michael Malone, Nuggets Head Coach (Denver Post)

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to extend their winning streak to five games when they take on the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. The Nuggets, meanwhile, will try to bounce back at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

The takeaway

The Cavaliers' ability to win on the road against a top Western Conference team, even with key injuries, demonstrates their potential to make a deep playoff run in the East. The Nuggets' loss at home raises concerns about their depth and ability to compete without their full roster.