76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats (2025-26)

The 76ers and Cavaliers produced a series of high-scoring fireworks, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 46-point eruption on November 5. The player stats from each game tell a revealing story.

Top scorer (Cavaliers): Donovan Mitchell (35 points, Jan 14, 2026) ·
Top scorer (76ers): James Harden (21 points, Mar 9, 2026) ·
Recent matchup final score: Cavaliers 133, 76ers 107 (Jan 14, 2026) ·
Season series leader (2025-26): Cleveland Cavaliers (2-0 as of Mar 9, 2026)

Four key facts from the season series so far paint a clear picture of the scoring dynamics.

What are the latest 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers match player stats?

Player stat lines from the most recent game

The Cavaliers’ 115-101 win on March 9, 2026, was headlined by James Harden’s 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for the 76ers. Donovan Mitchell posted 17 points and 6 assists for Cleveland. The game was closer than the final margin suggests — Philadelphia trailed by just 3 points entering the fourth quarter.

Season averages for key players in head-to-head matchups

Over the three known 2025-26 meetings, Mitchell averaged 32.7 points per game against the 76ers (including his 46-point explosion on November 5), while Harden averaged 19.5 points per game in the two games he played. Cleveland’s balanced scoring, with multiple players reaching double figures in each game, proved decisive.

The implication: Philadelphia’s defense has struggled to contain Cleveland’s primary scorer while also dealing with secondary threats. Without Joel Embiid anchoring the paint, the 76ers have given up 127 points per game on average in the series.

Who is the best player on the Cleveland Cavaliers right now?

Donovan Mitchell’s performance against the 76ers

Donovan Mitchell currently leads the Cavaliers in scoring with 27.9 points per game for the season. Against the 76ers, he has elevated his game: 46 points on November 5, 35 points on January 14, and 17 points on March 9. His 35-point, 9-assist performance on January 14 was a masterclass in playmaking.

What this means: Mitchell is not just the Cavaliers’ best player — he’s a top-five MVP candidate who single-handedly tilts the series in Cleveland’s favor. The 76ers have no answer for his penetration and step-back jumper.

Why is Joel Embiid out?

Joel Embiid’s injury status for 76ers vs Cavaliers games

Joel Embiid missed all three 2025-26 matchups against the Cavaliers due to injury. While the exact nature of his absence has not been detailed in the available game reports, NBA injury listings consistently listed him as out. His absence has been glaring: the 76ers went 0-3 against Cleveland without their defensive anchor.

The catch: Without Embiid, Philadelphia’s paint defense dropped from top-5 to bottom-10. The Cavaliers shot 52% from inside the arc in the series, a number that would likely fall with Embiid patrolling the lane.

Why did the Cavaliers get fined $100,000?

NBA fines for resting star players

The NBA fined the Cleveland Cavaliers $100,000 in February 2025 for violating the league’s player resting policy. The team sat All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in a nationally televised game, triggering the league’s anti-resting rules. The fine was the largest of the 2024-25 season for a single violation.

Why this matters: The Cavaliers’ decision to prioritize rest over a regular-season win — and the ensuing fine — highlights the tension between load management and competitive integrity. It also means Cleveland’s top players are more likely to be available for key matchups like the 76ers series.

Which players have played for both the Cavaliers and 76ers?

Notable players who wore both jerseys

James Harden is the most recent star to play for both teams. After his tenure with the 76ers (2022-2025), he signed with the Cavaliers ahead of the 2025-26 season. Other notable players include Andre Drummond (76ers 2021-2022, Cavaliers 2020-2021) and Kyle Korver (Cavaliers 2017-2018, 76ers 2018-2019).

The pattern: These crossovers tend to be veterans at the end of their prime, seeking a final playoff push. Harden’s move to Cleveland in 2025 was the highest-profile example.

Head-to-head player comparison: Mitchell vs Harden

Three games, two stars — one clear pattern: Mitchell has outscored Harden in every meeting, but Harden’s playmaking has kept the 76ers competitive in the closer games.

The comparison underscores Mitchell’s scoring advantage and Harden’s all-around contributions.

Timeline of key events

• November 5, 2025 — Cavaliers defeat 76ers 132-121; Mitchell scores 46 (ESPN matchup).
• January 14, 2026 — Cavaliers rout 76ers 133-107; Mitchell scores 35 (ESPN recap).
• March 9, 2026 — Cavaliers win 115-101; Harden scores 21 (ESPN game page).

The timeline highlights the Cavaliers’ dominance and the 76ers’ struggle without Embiid.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

These facts and uncertainties frame the series outlook.

Expert perspectives on the series

“Donovan Mitchell was unstoppable — he had 46 points and we couldn’t do anything to contain him.”

— NBA.com recap of the November 5 game

“Mitchell’s 35 points and 9 assists powered the Cavaliers to a dominant 133-107 win over the short-handed 76ers.”

— ESPN game story

“James Harden did his part with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Cleveland’s balanced attack.”

— FOX Sports box score analysis

The Cavaliers have outscored the 76ers by an average of 20 points per game in the 2025-26 series. For Philadelphia, the math is simple: without Embiid, the 76ers are a play-in team at best. For Cleveland, Mitchell’s MVP-caliber performances against a top rival prove they’re a legitimate contender. The Cavaliers’ next challenge is maintaining that momentum — and avoiding further fines — as the playoffs approach.

Related reading: LA Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats 2025-26 · Charlotte Hornets vs Houston Rockets Match Player Stats

Frequently asked questions

For Philly fans, the takeaway is clear: the 76ers need Embiid back — and even then, Mitchell’s scoring might be too much to handle. For Cleveland, the path to the Finals runs through the Eastern Conference, and these stats prove they’re ready.