10 Takeaways from Cavs comeback win over Pelicans: James Harden and Donovan Mitchell dominate in clutch

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 21: James Harden #1 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers exit the court after a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 21, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images It wasn’t the prettiest game, but the Cleveland Cavaliers did enough in the fourth quarter to erase a 15-point deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-106 .

The Cavs found themselves down by double figures late, mostly due to their offense stalling out in the second and third quarters . Donovan Mitchell going 2-9 from the field in that span had a lot to do with that. For better or worse, the Cavs have gone as Mitchell has .

They’ve struggled when he has, and they’ve won games when he’s excelled. On the season, the Cavs are 21-9 when Mitchell scores 30 or more points and 12-1 when Mitchell totals 35 or more. Conversely, they’re 5-4 without him and 6-10 when he plays and finishes with 21 or fewer points.

That was the case once again. When Mitchell turned it around late, so did the Cavs . He provided 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, which included icing the game with an and-one layup with less than five seconds left.