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NBA: Donovan Mitchell's last-second FTs lift Cavs over Nuggets

Donovan Mitchell sank two clutch free throws with 0.9 seconds left as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Denver Nuggets 119-117, with Mitchell finishing 32 points and 10 assists. Nikola Jokic recorded his 35th triple-double of the season, but it wasn’t enough to lift Denver past Cleveland.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA / Reuters

February 10, 2026

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) and Jaylon Tyson (20) celebrate after defeating the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on February 9, 2026.

Ron Chenoy / Reuters

Donovan Mitchell sank two free throws with less than a second remaining, lifting the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers to a 119-117 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.


Mitchell finished with 32 points and 10 assists, while James Harden contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds in just his second game with Cleveland. Jarrett Allen added 22 points and 13 rebounds, and Jaylon Tyson scored 16 for the Cavaliers, who have now won nine of their last 10 games.


For Denver, Nikola Jokic led with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, marking his 35th triple-double of the season and 183rd of his career—second all-time behind Russell Westbrook’s 207. Jamal Murray added 17 points and 11 assists as the Nuggets dropped four of their last five games.


Cleveland trailed by seven late in the fourth quarter but rallied after Mitchell’s lob to Allen made it 115-114. Jokic briefly gave Denver the lead with a short jumper, but Harden’s 3-pointer with 32 seconds left tied the game. After Tim Hardaway Jr. missed a deep shot, Murray fouled Mitchell with 0.9 seconds left. Mitchell calmly made both free throws, and Jokic’s final 3-pointer at the buzzer missed.


Julian Strawther and Christian Braun each scored 20 points for Denver. Jonas Valanciunas added 12 points, and Cameron Johnson finished with 10.


The Nuggets had built a 103-92 lead midway through the fourth quarter after Jokic fed Jalen Pickett for a 3-pointer. Cleveland responded with 3-pointers from Harden, Tyson, and Sam Merrill, narrowing the gap to 106-102. Key plays by Harden and Allen kept the Cavaliers in striking distance, and Mitchell’s late layup put them ahead 111-110 before the thrilling finish.


Cleveland trailed 59-54 at halftime but battled back to lead 77-76 before Denver regained a 92-87 advantage entering the fourth quarter.


-Field Level Media/Reuters

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