Cavaliers Rally Past Kings in Thrilling 123-118 Victory

Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley lead Cleveland's comeback win over Sacramento

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:58pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric planes and capturing the raw intensity of the players' movements on the court.An abstract, cubist depiction of the intense action and energy of the Cavaliers' comeback victory over the Kings.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a halftime deficit to defeat the Sacramento Kings 123-118 in a hard-fought NBA matchup on Friday night. Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and Evan Mobley added a season-high 29 points and 13 rebounds to power the Cavs' comeback effort.

Why it matters

The win marks the Cavaliers' fourth victory in their last five games, solidifying their status as a rising force in the Eastern Conference. Mobley's dominant two-way performance also underscores Cleveland's defensive identity and potential to make a deep playoff run.

The details

The Cavaliers raced out to a 16-2 lead early, but the Kings rallied behind strong efforts from Dennis Schroeder and Domantas Sabonis to take a 71-68 halftime advantage. Sacramento extended its lead to 114-113 late, but Mitchell drained a clutch 3-pointer to put Cleveland back on top. The Kings missed three straight 3-pointers in the final minute, allowing the Cavs to seal the victory.

  • The Cavaliers jumped out to a 16-2 lead in the opening minutes.
  • Sacramento took a 71-68 lead at halftime.
  • The Kings led 114-113 with 4 minutes remaining.
  • Mitchell hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:29 left.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers' star guard who scored a team-high 33 points to lead the comeback effort.

Evan Mobley

The Cavaliers' second-year forward who recorded a season-high 29 points and 13 rebounds, showcasing his two-way impact.

Dennis Schroeder

The Kings' guard who scored 21 points and helped fuel Sacramento's rally in the first half.

Domantas Sabonis

The Kings' All-Star center who contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.

Kenny Atkinson

The Cavaliers' head coach who has been working to instill consistency in his team this season.

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What they’re saying

“We showed a lot of fight and resilience to come back and get this win. Donovan and Evan were huge for us tonight.”

— Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers Head Coach

“I'm just trying to do whatever it takes to help this team win. Locking in on defense and crashing the boards was key for me tonight.”

— Evan Mobley, Cavaliers Forward

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for a top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Their next game is against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

The takeaway

The Cavaliers' comeback win over the Kings showcases their potential as a force to be reckoned with in the NBA this season. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley's standout performances highlight Cleveland's dynamic duo and the team's ability to grind out victories against tough opponents.