Cavaliers Defeat Hornets Behind Mitchell's 32 Points

Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen lead Cleveland to seventh straight win

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points and Jarrett Allen had 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 118-113 for their seventh consecutive victory. James Harden added 18 points and 8 assists for the Cavaliers, who shot 53.2% from the field and 47.6% from 3-point range. Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with 33 points, while LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller each scored 18 points in the loss.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers have now won 12 of their last 13 games, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The loss is the third in four games for the Hornets, who had previously won nine straight.

The details

The Cavaliers led 30-20 after the first quarter and were up by as many as 15 points in the second quarter. The Hornets made a push late in the first half to cut the deficit to 59-53 at the break. Cleveland maintained its lead in the second half, withstanding a late Hornets rally that saw Charlotte pull within 116-113 in the final seconds before Mitchell sealed the win with two free throws.

  • The game was played on February 20, 2026.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

A star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers who scored 32 points in the win.

Jarrett Allen

A key big man for the Cavaliers who had 26 points and 14 rebounds.

James Harden

A veteran guard for the Cavaliers who contributed 18 points and 8 assists.

Kon Knueppel

A guard for the Charlotte Hornets who scored a team-high 33 points.

LaMelo Ball

A young star guard for the Hornets who scored 18 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We made enough plays down the stretch and our free-throw shooting was a big key for us tonight.”

— Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers Guard (beaconjournal.com)

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on February 22nd. The Hornets will try to bounce back when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on February 23rd.

The takeaway

The Cavaliers continue to surge in the Eastern Conference, led by the dynamic duo of Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen. Meanwhile, the Hornets have hit a rough patch after their impressive nine-game winning streak, highlighting the ups and downs of an NBA season.