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cavaliers vs kings

Cavaliers vs Kings – Quick Scoop

Latest Result & Headline

The most recent Cavaliers vs Kings matchup was a high‑scoring, fast‑paced game that Cleveland edged out 132–126 in Sacramento on February 7, 2026. Donovan Mitchell exploded for 35 points and closed the game at the line, while James Harden made a strong Cavaliers debut with 23 points, helping hand the Kings their 12th straight loss.[1][3][5]

Key Game Facts

  • Final score: Cavaliers 132, Kings 126.
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  • Location: Sacramento, California.
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  • Cavs record after the win: 32–21; Kings fell to 12–42 on the season.
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  • Quarter breakdown (CLE vs SAC): 25–31, 32–24, 36–41, 39–30.
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  • The Kings have been in a major skid, dropping 12 straight and six in a row at home.
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Star Performances

  • Donovan Mitchell (Cavs): 35 points, with 29 coming in the second half as he took over down the stretch.
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  • James Harden (Cavs): 23 points in his Cavaliers debut, giving Cleveland another primary creator and scorer.
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  • Jarrett Allen (Cavs): 29 points on 11–12 shooting with 10 rebounds, dominating efficiency inside.
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  • Nique Clifford (Kings): 30 points with five made threes, keeping Sacramento within striking distance.
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  • Russell Westbrook (Kings): 21 points and nine assists, pushing the tempo and creating looks for teammates.
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How the Game Unfolded

Cleveland nudged ahead 57–55 at halftime, but the Kings punched back with a big third quarter to take a 96–93 lead heading into the fourth. In the final period, Mitchell’s shot‑making and Harden’s creation swung momentum back to the Cavaliers, who outscored Sacramento 39–30 to seal the win.[3][5][1]

The duel featured a barrage of threes and attacking drives on both sides, with the Kings repeatedly responding through Clifford and Westbrook before Cleveland’s late‑game execution finally created just enough separation. Mitchell’s late free throw in the closing 40 seconds effectively put the game out of reach despite Sacramento’s last push.[3][5][1]

Mini “Story” of the Night

Through three quarters, it felt like the Kings might finally break their losing streak at home. The crowd had life, Clifford was heating up from deep, and Westbrook was carving up the defense. Then the fourth quarter turned into a showcase: Mitchell hitting tough shots, Harden calmly picking his spots, and Allen quietly finishing everything inside. Each Kings run was answered, and by the time Mitchell stepped to the line in the final half‑minute, it felt less like a single loss for Sacramento and more like the weight of an entire skid catching up to them.
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Forum & Fan Discussion Vibes

Online conversations around recent Cavs–Kings games often zero in on three themes: officiating, late‑game strategy, and the broader state of the NBA product. In older threads, fans argued over replay reviews, missed shot‑clock checks, and whether certain referee crews should see playoff assignments, reflecting frustration from both fanbases over how narrow games were handled.[2]

Beyond specific calls, you also see wider debates: some users vent about betting’s influence on how people watch games, while others complain about league ratings or media narratives, turning a single Cavs–Kings matchup into a jumping‑off point for bigger questions about modern basketball. That mix of granular play‑by‑play analysis, referee micro‑scrutiny, and existential “what’s wrong with the NBA?” takes is a recurring pattern whenever these kinds of close, dramatic matchups happen.[2]

Recent Head‑to‑Head Context

  • January 23, 2026: Cavaliers 123, Kings 118 in Cleveland; Mitchell scored 33 and Evan Mobley added 29 and 13 rebounds, with the Cavs again holding off a late Kings push.
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  • February 7, 2026: Cavaliers 132, Kings 126 in Sacramento; Mitchell 35, Allen 29–10, Clifford 30 for the Kings.
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In both recent meetings, the Cavaliers leaned on star shot‑making and strong frontcourt production to edge out tight finishes, while the Kings showed scoring punch but struggled to convert performances into wins during a rough season stretch.[6][8][4][5][1]

Outlook & What’s Next

  • Cavaliers: Continued momentum with Harden integrated alongside Mitchell, with the next stop on the road trip being Denver.
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  • Kings: Searching for a way to halt a double‑digit losing streak, with their next game coming on the road in New Orleans.
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  • Trend: Cavs appear to be trending upward with a reinforced backcourt, while the Kings’ season narrative is dominated by losing streaks and “what needs to change?” discussions.
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Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.