Evan Mobley, James Harden tally 27 each as Cavs stop Bucks

Cleveland scores 8 straight points late to pull away from Milwaukee

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:25am

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Evan Mobley scored 27 points and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds, and James Harden had 27 points and six assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers took control in the final seven minutes to beat the host Milwaukee Bucks 123-116 on Tuesday night. Cleveland scored eight straight points in a 70-second span midway through the final period to seize a 108-100 lead, then powered home for its 11th win in 15 games with Harden in the lineup.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers' win over the Bucks, who were without star Giannis Antetokounmpo due to injury, keeps Cleveland in the hunt for a top-4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Cavs are now 42-27 on the season and just 2.5 games behind the third-place New York Knicks.

The details

Donovan Mitchell added 19 points and Sam Merrill and Keon Ellis each made a 3-pointer during Cleveland's late 8-0 run. Kevin Porter Jr. had 25 points and 10 assists for the Bucks, while Bobby Portis Jr., Ousmane Dieng and Ryan Rollins scored 19 points apiece. Milwaukee finished with 20 made 3-pointers, a career-high tying 5 by Dieng.

  • The Cavaliers built a 15-point lead early in the second quarter before Milwaukee rallied for a 58-57 advantage at the half.
  • There were six lead changes in the third quarter, the final one on a Portis jumper with 1:54 remaining that put the Bucks ahead 80-79.
  • Cleveland scored 8 straight points in a 70-second span midway through the final period to seize a 108-100 lead.

The players

Evan Mobley

Scored 27 points and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

James Harden

Had 27 points and 6 assists for Cleveland, his 11th win in 15 games with the team.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee's superstar was inactive after hyperextending his left knee and receiving a bone bruise in the previous game.

Kevin Porter Jr.

Scored 25 points and had 10 assists for the Bucks.

Bobby Portis Jr.

Scored 19 points and had 9 rebounds for Milwaukee.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The Cavaliers' win over the short-handed Bucks keeps them in the hunt for a top-4 seed in the Eastern Conference, just 2.5 games behind the third-place Knicks. Cleveland's balanced scoring attack and late surge proved too much for Milwaukee to overcome, even with a career-high 3-point performance from Ousmane Dieng.