Harden's 36 Points Lead Cavaliers Past Bulls

Cavaliers hold off late Chicago rally to win 115-110

Mar. 20, 2026 at 8:35am

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James Harden scored 36 points, including 7 three-pointers, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls. The Cavaliers built a 29-point lead in the first half, but the Bulls rallied in the second half, cutting the deficit to just 2 points before falling short. Evan Mobley added 26 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland, while Tre Jones scored 20 points for Chicago.

Why it matters

This game was an important win for the playoff-contending Cavaliers, who were without their leading scorer Donovan Mitchell. Harden's big performance helped offset Mitchell's absence and kept Cleveland in the hunt for a high playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

The details

The Cavaliers used early runs of 16-5 and 19-0 to build a big first-half lead, with Harden leading the way. The Bulls chipped away in the second half, with Guerschon Yabusele and the Chicago bench unit sparking a 20-4 run that cut the deficit to just 2 points. But the Cavaliers held on for the victory, with Mobley and Jaylon Tyson providing a strong inside presence.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 20, 2026.

The players

James Harden

A veteran NBA guard who was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he has provided a scoring boost.

Evan Mobley

A young Cavaliers forward who recorded a double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds in the game.

Tre Jones

A Bulls guard who led his team with 20 points in the loss.

Guerschon Yabusele

A Bulls reserve who sparked their second-half rally with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers' leading scorer who missed the game due to an eye injury sustained in practice.

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What they’re saying

“James really carried us tonight with his scoring and playmaking. We needed that with Donovan out, and he stepped up big time.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Cavaliers Head Coach

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a high playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls will try to regroup after the close loss and aim to finish the season strong.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Cavaliers' depth and resilience, as they were able to withstand a furious Bulls comeback and secure an important victory without their leading scorer. Harden's big night showed his value as a trade acquisition, while the Bulls' second-half rally demonstrated their potential when playing at their best.