The Golden 1 Center in Sacramento was buzzing with anticipation on February 7, 2026, as the Sacramento Kings hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matchup that promised intrigue—and certainly delivered. The night marked a new chapter for the Cavaliers, who debuted their newest acquisition, James Harden, while the Kings leaned heavily on their young core, with several veterans sidelined. Despite a spirited effort from Sacramento’s rookies, the Cavaliers emerged victorious, 132-126, handing the Kings their twelfth straight defeat.
All eyes were on Harden, recently acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. The veteran guard wasted no time making an impact, pouring in 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including a scorching 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Harden also dished out eight assists, seamlessly integrating into a Cavaliers offense that looked potent and composed throughout the contest.
But it was Donovan Mitchell who stole the show for Cleveland. The All-Star guard erupted for 35 points, including 29 in a blistering second half. Mitchell’s relentless drives and timely shot-making kept the Cavaliers afloat when Sacramento threatened to seize control. With just 35 seconds left on the clock, Mitchell calmly sank a free throw that effectively sealed the game. “We just kept our composure,” Mitchell said after the game. “Sacramento made it tough, but we stuck to our game plan and executed when it mattered.”
Jarrett Allen provided the muscle inside for Cleveland, finishing with 29 points and 10 rebounds on a near-perfect 11-of-12 shooting night. His presence in the paint was a constant challenge for Sacramento’s bigs, and his efficiency was a major factor in the Cavaliers’ eighth win in their last nine outings. Cleveland’s supporting cast also chipped in: Keon Ellis, returning to Sacramento for the first time since being traded, knocked down multiple threes and played aggressive defense, while Dennis Schroder contributed seven points and four assists off the bench.
For the Kings, the loss was another tough pill to swallow in what has become a historically brutal stretch. The defeat extended Sacramento’s losing streak to twelve, with the last victory coming back on January 16 against Washington. Yet, there were plenty of silver linings—chief among them, the emergence of rookie Nique Clifford. Clifford had a breakout game, leading all Kings scorers with 30 points, hitting 12 of his 19 shots, including 5-for-9 from deep. He also added four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 40 minutes of high-energy play. His performance was a beacon of hope for a team desperately seeking positives in a challenging season.
Russell Westbrook, the Kings’ veteran floor general, continued to set the tone with 21 points, nine assists, and five rebounds. Westbrook’s five three-pointers kept Sacramento within striking distance, and his leadership was evident as he orchestrated the offense for long stretches. Daeqwon Plowden also made the most of his extended minutes, tallying 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while posting a +7 plus/minus rating. Maxime Raynaud chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds, and Devin Carter provided a spark off the bench with 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Head coach Mike Brown was forced to rely heavily on his young players, with De’Andre Hunter, Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and Keegan Murray all sidelined due to injuries. The lack of veteran depth meant the Kings’ rotation was filled with rookies and second-year players, but they responded with grit and resilience, even briefly taking a 96-93 lead in the third quarter. “These young guys are showing what they’re made of,” Brown remarked. “They’re getting invaluable experience, and you can see their confidence growing with every game.”
The game itself was a rollercoaster, with both teams trading runs and momentum swings. Cleveland jumped out to a 57-55 lead at halftime, but Sacramento came roaring back in the third, fueled by Clifford’s hot hand and Westbrook’s steady play. The Kings’ bench also made key contributions, with Dylan Cardwell notching his second consecutive double-double—12 points and 11 rebounds—while anchoring the defense with energy and hustle.
In the final period, the Cavaliers’ experience and composure shone through. Harden nailed back-to-back threes to reclaim the lead, and Allen’s dominance inside helped Cleveland withstand Sacramento’s late surge. The Kings, to their credit, refused to fold. DeMar DeRozan, though limited to 13 points on a tough shooting night, hit a clutch three to tie the game at 126 with under a minute left. But Mitchell responded with two free throws, and Harden iced the contest from the line after drawing a pair of fouls in the closing seconds.
The stat sheet told the story of a hard-fought battle: both teams shot over 50 percent from the field, with the Kings knocking down 16 threes to Cleveland’s 11. The Cavaliers, however, held a decisive advantage at the charity stripe, converting 29 of 32 free throws compared to Sacramento’s 14 of 20. Cleveland also edged Sacramento on the boards, 51-47, and forced crucial turnovers in the waning moments.
The night was also notable for the return of Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to Sacramento, just days after being traded away. Both received warm receptions from the home crowd, and their performances added an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling matchup. “It felt good to be back,” Ellis said postgame. “I have a lot of respect for this organization and these fans.”
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will travel to Denver for another tough test on February 9, while the Kings will try to snap their skid against the New Orleans Pelicans on the same night. Despite the loss, Sacramento fans have reason to be excited about their young core’s development, especially with the anticipated return of Keegan Murray in the coming weeks.
As the Kings continue to navigate a challenging season, the focus shifts to growth and evaluation. If this game was any indication, the future in Sacramento just might be brighter than the present suggests. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s new-look roster is already turning heads, with Harden’s debut hinting at even greater things to come as the playoff race heats up.