Harden’s 32 points lift Cavaliers past Knicks

James Harden poured in 32 points and hit a late go-ahead three-pointer as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New York Knicks 115-107 at Madison Square Garden on November 11. The season-high total was more than twice Harden’s 15.3-point average entering the game, after a difficult start to the season that included a 2-for-9 shooting performance against Charlotte two days earlier.

Cleveland led for much of the second half, but New York repeatedly fought back. The Knicks erased a 10-point deficit with a 14-4 run to tie the score at 101. Harden broke the deadlock with a three-pointer with 4:21 left, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen helped the Cavaliers pull away. Allen finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points for Cleveland, which had dropped its previous two games. Harden made nine of 14 shots, including five of seven from three-point range, and converted nine of 11 free throws. He also had four assists and two turnovers. The Cavaliers improved to 7-1 in games in which he scores at least 25 points.

Jalen Brunson led New York with 27 points. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, matching Willis Reed’s franchise mark with his 11th consecutive double-double to open a season. The Knicks’ four-game winning streak ended.

Cleveland visits Miami on Friday, while New York travels to Indiana that night.