Cavs Rout Clippers After Blockbuster Harden-Garland Trade Rocks NBA Deadline

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't just win on Wednesday night; they sent a message to the rest of the league. Hours after finalizing a blockbuster trade that sent All-Star guard Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden, the Cavaliers dismantled the Clippers 124-89 at the Intuit Dome. While neither Garland nor Harden took the court for their new teams, the energy following the trade clearly favored the visitors, as Donovan Mitchell dominated the contest to lead Cleveland to their seventh win in eight games.

Donovan Mitchell was the focal point of the Cavs' offense, pouring in 29 points and dishing out nine assists. Mitchell appeared energized by the roster shakeup, consistently breaking down the Clippers' defense to find rookie Jaylon Tyson, who contributed a career-high 17 points. The Cavaliers also saw the debut of Dennis Schroder, acquired in a separate three-team deal with Sacramento earlier in the week. Schroder looked comfortable in his new threads, providing 11 points and steady playmaking. Jarrett Allen anchored the interior with a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double, dominating a Clippers frontcourt that was missing Ivica Zubac.

The Clippers struggled to find any rhythm in what was a chaotic 24 hours for the franchise. Kawhi Leonard led Los Angeles with 25 points, but he lacked the necessary support to keep pace with Cleveland’s scoring barrage. John Collins added 19 points, but the absence of a primary playmaker following Harden's departure was evident. The Clippers’ offense appeared stagnant, and their defense offered little resistance as Cleveland shot over 50% from the field. Los Angeles has now lost consecutive games for the first time since December, a concerning trend as they wait for Garland to integrate into the lineup.

The Harden-Garland trade represents a massive shift in strategy for both organizations. For Cleveland, the acquisition of Harden provides a veteran scoring punch and elite playmaking alongside Mitchell, potentially curing the offensive lulls that have plagued them in past postseasons. For the Clippers, Garland offers a younger, more dynamic point guard who fits the timeline of their core while providing much-needed spacing. Reports suggest that Cleveland is not done yet, with Evan Mobley (calf) nearing a return and the front office still exploring bench depth ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline.

As the NBA world reels from the deal, Cleveland moves to 14-5 against Eastern Conference opponents and continues their ascent up the standings. The Clippers, now 17-5 since December 20, must find a way to navigate this transition period quickly to avoid slipping in a crowded Western Conference playoff race. With the deadline officially arriving today, the fallout from this blockbuster is likely only the beginning of a frantic day of moves across the league.