Harden scores 24 in preseason return as Cavaliers beat Magic, 119-105

James Harden scored 24 points in his first preseason appearance as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic 119-105 on Sunday at Rocket Arena.

Harden had missed Cleveland’s opener with ankle soreness. He made seven of 10 shots against Orlando, including three of five three-pointers, and went seven of nine at the foul line in 26 minutes. His scoring helped Cleveland take an 11-point halftime lead and keep control through the second half.

The Cavaliers improved to 1-1 in the preseason. Orlando also finished the night 1-1, with several regulars missing the game and Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner limited to first-half action.

The NBA’s official game highlights show Harden’s return and the Cavaliers’ home win.

Cleveland led 32-28 after the first quarter and extended that advantage to 61-50 at halftime. The Cavaliers then won the third quarter 29-25 to take a 15-point cushion into the fourth. Orlando outscored them by one point in the final period, but could not close the larger gap.

Evan Mobley added 14 points and seven rebounds for Cleveland. He made only three of 10 field-goal attempts, but went eight of nine from the free-throw line. Donovan Mitchell finished with 11 points, five rebounds and six assists in 26 minutes.

The Cavaliers also got scoring from several reserves. Jaylon Tyson and Mario Hezonja each had 13 points, and Thomas Bryant scored 12 in seven minutes, making five of six shots. Tyson hit three of five three-point attempts, while Hezonja added five rebounds and two steals.

Cleveland made 15 of 37 shots from beyond the arc and converted 26 of 30 free throws. Those makes helped offset 21 total turnovers. Orlando finished with 19 total turnovers, while shooting 37 of 91 from the field and 13 of 38 from three-point range.

Tristan da Silva led the Magic with 17 points, including four three-pointers. Jase Richardson made his second straight start with Jalen Suggs out because of illness and contributed 12 points on five-of-nine shooting, plus four assists. Banchero and Wagner each scored 10, though Banchero made only one of his 10 field-goal attempts.

Orlando rested Desmond Bane. Anthony Black missed the game with a right ankle sprain, and Jonathan Isaac was absent for personal reasons, according to the Magic’s official report. Noah Penda returned after missing the preseason opener with a hamstring issue and supplied eight points, five rebounds and five assists in 22 minutes.

The two teams meet again Tuesday in Orlando, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern. That rematch gives both clubs another opportunity to work through their rotations before the regular season begins, including another test for Orlando’s younger guards while the team monitors its absences.

Sources

Orlando comes up short in second preseason game · Fear The Sword: Cavaliers beat Magic119-105 · ESPN: Magic-Cavaliers final box and play log