Cavs Top Bucks Behind Mobley and Harden's 27 Points Each

Cleveland rallies late to defeat Milwaukee despite Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:35am

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Evan Mobley scored 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and James Harden also had 27 points and 6 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116 on Tuesday night. The Cavaliers took control in the final seven minutes, going on an 8-0 run to take a 108-100 lead they would not relinquish.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Cavaliers in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, just 2.5 games behind the third-place New York Knicks. Milwaukee, meanwhile, has struggled since the All-Star break, going just 2-9 in their last 11 games.

The details

Mobley and Harden led the way for the Cavaliers, who built a 15-point lead early in the second quarter before the Bucks rallied to take a 58-57 halftime advantage. The game was tight throughout, with six lead changes in the third quarter alone. But Cleveland pulled away late, getting key 3-pointers from Sam Merrill and Keon Ellis during an 8-0 run that gave them control of the game.

  • The Cavaliers built a 15-point lead early in the second quarter.
  • The Bucks rallied to take a 58-57 halftime advantage.
  • There were six lead changes in the third quarter.
  • Cleveland went on an 8-0 run in the final seven minutes to take a 108-100 lead.

The players

Evan Mobley

A 21-year-old power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers who scored 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the win.

James Harden

A veteran guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers who also scored 27 points and dished out 6 assists in the victory.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar who missed the game due to a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise suffered in a recent game.

Bobby Portis Jr.

A key reserve for the Milwaukee Bucks who scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds off the bench.

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers' leading scorer who added 19 points in the win.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with this level of intensity and focus if we want to make a deep playoff run.”

— Evan Mobley, Cavaliers Power Forward (Cleveland.com)

“Losing Giannis is tough, but we have to find a way to win games without him. We just couldn't make the plays down the stretch tonight.”

— Bobby Portis Jr., Bucks Reserve Forward (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a top-4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Bucks, meanwhile, will hope to get Giannis Antetokounmpo back from injury soon as they try to solidify their position in the playoff race.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Cavaliers' depth and balanced scoring attack, with Mobley and Harden leading the way. Cleveland's late run to pull away demonstrates their ability to make winning plays when the game is on the line. For the Bucks, the loss highlights their struggles without their superstar Giannis, underscoring the importance of getting him healthy for the stretch run.