Cavaliers Hold Off Warriors 118-111 Behind Mitchell's 25, Strus' 24

Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus lead Cleveland to victory over Golden State.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:51am by Ben Kaplan

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An abstract, energetic painting featuring bold, neon-colored brushstrokes that dynamically capture the movement and intensity of an NBA basketball game, without any identifiable players or teams.The Cavaliers' high-octane offense overwhelms the Warriors in a thrilling inter-conference matchup.San Francisco Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors 118-111 on Thursday night, led by strong performances from Donovan Mitchell (25 points, 6 rebounds) and Max Strus (24 points). James Harden also contributed 19 points and 5 assists for the Cavaliers, who won for the 7th time in their last 9 games. Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski each scored 25 points for the Warriors, who were without Stephen Curry for the 27th straight game due to a knee injury.

Why it matters

This was an important inter-conference matchup between two playoff contenders. The Cavaliers are looking to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference, while the Warriors are trying to stay afloat in the West without their superstar Curry. The game featured several key storylines, including the potential return of Curry and the physical play that led to technical fouls.

The details

The Cavaliers were able to hold off a late Warriors surge, with Max Strus hitting a key 3-pointer in the final minute to seal the victory. Cleveland's defense was able to limit the Warriors' supporting cast, as Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski were the only Golden State players to score 20+ points. The game also featured some physical play, with a Flagrant 1 foul called on Cleveland's Dennis Schroder and technical fouls assessed to Draymond Green and Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • Stephen Curry has been sidelined for the past 27 games due to a knee injury.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

A star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers who scored 25 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the win.

Max Strus

A key contributor off the bench for the Cavaliers, scoring 24 points including a crucial 3-pointer late in the game.

James Harden

The veteran guard for the Cavaliers who had 19 points and 5 assists in the victory.

Gui Santos

A young forward for the Golden State Warriors who scored 25 points in the losing effort.

Brandin Podziemski

Also scored 25 points for the Warriors in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to find ways to win games, even when our superstar is out. I'm proud of the effort our team showed tonight against a tough Warriors squad.”

— Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers Guard

“Steph is getting closer, but we want to make sure he's fully healthy before we rush him back. We'll evaluate how he feels tomorrow and make a decision on his return.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach

What’s next

The Warriors will host the Houston Rockets on Sunday night, while the Cavaliers will return home to face the Indiana Pacers on the same day. The status of Stephen Curry's return will be a key storyline to monitor heading into the weekend.

The takeaway

This was an important win for the Cavaliers as they continue to jockey for playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Warriors are still searching for consistency without their superstar Curry, but his potential return in the coming days could provide a much-needed boost for the defending champions.