NBA Roundup: Harden passes 29,000 career points as Cavaliers defeat 76ers

By: Osabuohien Imuetinyanosa

James Harden reached another historic milestone on Monday night, scoring his 29,000th NBA point as the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 115–101 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.

The veteran guard, now in his 17th NBA season, scored 21 points during the contest and surpassed the 29,000-point mark early in the first quarter. By the end of the game, Harden’s career total stood at 29,017 points, placing him ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Legendary center Wilt Chamberlain occupies eighth position with 31,419 points.

Keon Ellis, a recent trade-deadline addition to the Cavaliers roster, delivered a strong performance with 19 points. Donovan Mitchell also contributed effectively with 17 points and six assists.

Cleveland dominated large stretches of the game and at one point built a 25-point advantage. The win marked the Cavaliers’ eighth victory in their last nine home appearances. Since December 29, the team has compiled a 23–9 record, a run that has pushed them up to fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Cavaliers also completed a season sweep of the injury-hit 76ers.

For Philadelphia, Quentin Grimes finished with 17 points while Justin Edwards added 14 points coming off the bench. Cameron Payne, who started in place of All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey—currently sidelined with a sprained finger—registered 12 points along with six rebounds.

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Day’Ron Sharpe matched his season-high output with 19 points and played a key role in Brooklyn’s late surge. He shot efficiently, going 8-of-11 from the field, and energized the crowd with a powerful one-handed dunk over Rayan Rupert that extended the Nets’ lead to 98–88 with 10:33 left in the game.

Ochai Agbaji recorded a season-best 18 points on an impressive 8-of-9 shooting performance. At one stage he scored nine consecutive points for Brooklyn, including a step-back three-pointer that widened the margin to 110–95 midway through the final period. Rookie Nolan Traore also made a notable contribution, scoring 17 points while hitting four of the Nets’ 17 three-pointers.

Memphis entered the matchup with a limited roster, having only eight available players. Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), and rookie Cedric Coward (knee) were rested ahead of a back-to-back schedule.

Despite the setback, Rayan Rupert delivered a career-best 20-point performance to lead the Grizzlies. Javon Small added 19 points, GG Jackson recorded 18, Jaylen Wells scored 17, and rookie Walton Clayton Jr. chipped in 13.

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a narrow 129–126 win over the Denver Nuggets thanks to a late clutch performance by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The All-Star guard finished with 35 points and sealed the victory with a step-back three-pointer in the final seconds of the game. In addition to his scoring output, Gilgeous-Alexander nearly recorded a triple-double with 15 assists and nine rebounds.

His scoring consistency also placed him alongside NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain by tying the record for 126 straight games with at least 20 points.

Jaylin Williams played a major supporting role, scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds while setting a career high with seven made three-pointers. Oklahoma City managed the win despite missing key frontcourt players Chet Holmgren (flu) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf injury).

Denver’s Nikola Jokic produced another outstanding performance, finishing with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets attempted a comeback. Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 28 points off the bench, while Aaron Gordon added 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Nevertheless, the Thunder held on to claim the victory and improved their record to 3–0 against Denver this season.