Cavs Dominate Clippers in Post-Trade Rout as Harden Arrives
Cavs Dominate Clippers in Post-Trade Rout
The Cleveland Cavaliers delivered a stunning 124-91 thrashing of the Los Angeles Clippers on February 4, 2026, in a bizarre matchup mere hours after swapping All-Stars Darius Garland for James Harden. Neither star played, with Garland spotted courtside, adding to the night's odd vibe. Donovan Mitchell led with 29 points and nine assists, while Jaylon Tyson chipped in 17 points on efficient shooting. The Cavs, now 31-21, shot 51% from the field and drained 16 threes, capitalizing on LA's 24 turnovers for 47 points.
New Additions Shine in 'Weird' Win
Debutants Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis impressed, with Schroder scoring 11 points and Ellis adding six in his first Cavaliers action from a recent three-team trade. Jarrett Allen notched a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers with 25 points, but their 21.4% three-point shooting doomed them, dropping LA to 23-27 without injured Ivica Zubac.
Cleveland's Surge Continues
This victory marks Cleveland's ninth win in 11 games, vaulting them to fourth in the East. Bolstered by Harden's arrival and recent roster tweaks, the Cavs look unstoppable, surging to a 20-point halftime lead after a dominant first quarter. Fans buzz with excitement for playoff contention.
About the People Mentioned
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell is an American professional basketball player born on September 7, 1996. He currently plays as a shooting guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mitchell stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. He attended the University of Louisville, where he honed his basketball skills before entering the professional league. Mitchell was drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft but was traded to the Utah Jazz on draft night. He played for the Jazz from 2017 to 2022 before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Throughout his career, Mitchell has established himself as a talented scorer and playmaker. He has been selected to multiple NBA All-Star Games, showcasing his growing influence in the league. One of Mitchell's most notable achievements came when he became only the seventh player in NBA history to score 70 or more points in a single game, and the first to do so while also recording at least 10 assists. This performance highlighted his exceptional scoring ability and playmaking skills. Currently, Mitchell continues to be an integral part of the Cleveland Cavaliers, contributing significantly to their gameplay and team strategy. His active status in the league underscores his ongoing relevance and commitment to basketball. Recent events have seen Mitchell adapting to his new role with the Cavaliers, focusing on team chemistry and performance improvement. As a prominent figure in the NBA, Mitchell's career trajectory is closely followed by fans and analysts alike. His achievements and contributions to the sport have solidified his position as a respected and impactful player in contemporary basketball.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is an American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the best two-way players in NBA history. Born on June 29, 1991, in Riverside, California, Leonard played college basketball at San Diego State before being selected 15th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers and immediately traded to the San Antonio Spurs. Standing 6'7" with a 7'3" wingspan, Leonard is known for his exceptional defensive abilities, strong build, and clutch scoring. Leonard developed under coach Gregg Popovich with the Spurs, becoming a defensive specialist and expanding his offensive game. He played a pivotal role in the Spurs' 2014 NBA championship, earning his first NBA Finals MVP award at age 22. Leonard was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice (2015, 2016) and has been selected to five All-NBA teams. After seven seasons in San Antonio, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2018, where in his only season he led the team to its first NBA championship and won his second Finals MVP. His performance included a memorable series-winning buzzer-beater in the Eastern Conference semifinals and dominant play in the Finals against the Golden State Warriors. In 2019, Leonard signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he remains a cornerstone of the franchise and a key championship contender. Known by the nickname "The Claw," Leonard has a reputation for shunning the spotlight and maintaining a low public profile. As of 2025, he continues to be active in the NBA, contributing as a top-tier scorer and defender for the Clippers[1][2][3][4][5].
About the Organizations Mentioned
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, competing in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Established in 1970, the organization has grown into one of the league’s notable franchises, particularly due to its association with superstar LeBron James, who significantly shaped its success and identity[1][2]. The Cavaliers’ history includes early struggles but also periods of strong playoff contention. In the 1980s and 1990s, the team regularly made the playoffs, led by stars like Mark Price and Brad Daugherty, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 1992. However, the late 1990s brought a decline, with six consecutive losing seasons until the drafting of LeBron James in 2003, a pivotal moment that revived the franchise’s fortunes[2]. LeBron’s impact was transformative. With him and teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the Cavaliers returned to playoff prominence by 2005 and made their first NBA Finals appearance in 2007. After LeBron temporarily left for Miami in 2010, the team struggled, including a 26-game losing streak, one of the longest in NBA history. The Cavaliers secured top draft picks during this rebuilding phase, selecting future stars like Kyrie Irving[2]. LeBron James’ return in 2014 sparked a golden era. The Cavaliers reached four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, winning their first and only NBA Championship in 2016. This victory was historic—it marked Cleveland’s first major sports title since 1964 and featured a remarkable comeback from a 3–1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors, a feat unprecedented in NBA Finals history[1][2]. Notable achievements include eight Central Division titles, five Eastern Conference championships, and 25 playoff appearances. LeBron James holds numerous franchise records, including most games played, points, rebounds, and assists, underscoring his legacy with the team[4]. The Cavaliers have also seen
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a prominent professional basketball organization based in the Greater Los Angeles area, competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the franchise relocated to San Diego in 1978 and then to Los Angeles in 1984, where it adopted its current name. Historically overshadowed by the more successful Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers struggled for decades but underwent a significant transformation in the 2010s, marked by the arrival of star players like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, who ushered in the celebrated “Lob City” era. A pivotal moment in the Clippers’ history came in 2014 when then-owner Donald Sterling was banned for life due to racist remarks, leading to the sale of the team to Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft. Ballmer’s ownership has been characterized by substantial investment in the franchise, including the construction of the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, which became the team’s home arena starting with the 2024–25 season. This move represents a major technological and business advancement, positioning the Clippers as a forward-thinking organization in sports infrastructure. The Clippers have made consistent playoff appearances in recent years, establishing themselves as serious contenders in the NBA. Their current roster features high-profile talent such as Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul, and the team continues to innovate in fan engagement and digital experiences. With a focus on building a championship-caliber team and leveraging cutting-edge technology, the Los Angeles Clippers stand as a dynamic example of how sports franchises can blend athletic excellence with business and technological innovation.
