Cleveland Cavaliers vs Sacramento Kings Match Player Stats: Mitchell’s 35-Point Masterclass Leads Cavaliers to Victory

Every NBA season delivers matchups that redefine team identities and shift playoff trajectories. The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Sacramento Kings match player stats from February 7, 2026, tell a story of offensive fireworks, defensive lapses, and a debut that could reshape the Eastern Conference landscape.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (32-21) traveled to Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center on February 7, 2026, to face the reeling Kings (12-42) in front of 16,212 fans. What unfolded was a high-octane offensive showcase that saw the Cavaliers outlast Sacramento 132-126, extending the Kings’ losing streak to 12 games.

James Harden made his highly anticipated Cleveland debut after being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers, and he didn’t disappoint. Alongside Donovan Mitchell’s explosive second-half performance and Jarrett Allen’s near-perfect night from the floor, the Cavaliers demonstrated why they remain a formidable force in the East despite ongoing roster adjustments.

Match Overview Table

Core Match Statistics Overview

Team Stats Table

Three Point Shooting

• Cleveland’s 31.4% from deep wasn’t spectacular, but James Harden’s 5-of-8 from beyond the arc provided the efficiency boost when it mattered most.
• Sacramento’s 28.6% three-point shooting—including a dismal 9-of-19 at home—left too many points on the board in a game where every possession counted.

Ball Movement and Playmaking

• The Cavaliers recorded 30 assists on 46 made field goals, an assist-to-field-goal ratio of 65.2% that reflects their commitment to sharing the basketball.
• Sacramento’s 26 assists on 42 made baskets fell short of the ball movement needed to consistently break down Cleveland’s defense.

Free Throw Disparity

• Cleveland converted 29-of-32 free throws (90.6%), a clinic in foul-line efficiency that proved decisive in the closing minutes.
• The Kings managed just 14-of-20 from the stripe (70.0%), a gap of 15 points that ultimately sealed their fate.

Turnover Battle

• The Cavaliers committed only 11 turnovers, capitalizing on Sacramento’s 15 giveaways to generate easy transition opportunities.
• Sacramento’s 1.49 turnover percentage was a significant factor in their inability to sustain offensive rhythm.

Period-by-Period Analysis

First Quarter: Kings Strike First

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Sacramento Kings Match Player Stats The Kings jumped out to an early lead, with Domantas Sabonis and Nique Clifford setting the tone inside and on the perimeter.

• Cleveland’s offense looked disjointed early, shooting just 25 points in the opening frame as they adjusted to Harden’s integration.
• Sacramento’s 31-point quarter gave them a six-point cushion heading into the second.

Second Quarter: Cavaliers Respond

Cleveland flipped the script in the second, outscoring Sacramento 32-24 to take a 57-55 halftime lead.

• Jarrett Allen dominated the paint, converting high-percentage looks and cleaning the glass effectively.
• The Cavaliers’ defensive intensity forced Sacramento into difficult shots, limiting them to 24 points.

Third Quarter: Kings Reclaim Momentum

Sacramento erupted for 41 points in the third quarter, the highest single-period output of the game.

• The Kings’ bench provided a spark, with Russell Westbrook and Nique Clifford combining for timely buckets.
• Cleveland’s defense sagged, allowing Sacramento to take a 96-93 lead heading into the final frame.

Fourth Quarter: Mitchell Takes Over

Donovan Mitchell scored 29 of his 35 points in the second half, including a crucial free throw with 35 seconds remaining that sealed the win.

• The Cavaliers outscored Sacramento 39-30 in the fourth, their most productive quarter of the night.
• Cleveland’s 90.6% free-throw shooting in the final period kept the Kings at arm’s length despite Sacramento’s desperate rally.

Detailed Team Player Statistics

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Statistics

Donovan Mitchell was the engine that drove Cleveland’s comeback. His 35 points on 13-of-24 shooting, combined with 7-of-7 from the line, showcased his ability to carry the offensive load when his team needed it most.

Jarrett Allen delivered a masterpiece of efficiency, missing just one shot en route to 29 points and 10 rebounds. His 11-of-12 field goal performance anchored Cleveland’s interior presence.

James Harden made an immediate impact in his Cavaliers debut, stuffing the stat sheet with 23 points, 8 assists, and 5 three-pointers. His seamless integration suggests Cleveland’s ceiling just got higher.

Sacramento Kings Player Statistics

Nique Clifford led all Kings scorers with 30 points, providing the offensive spark that kept Sacramento competitive throughout.

Domantas Sabonis recorded a near triple-double with 21 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds. However, his 7 turnovers proved costly in crunch time.

Russell Westbrook contributed 21 points and 9 assists off the bench, giving Sacramento a lift but ultimately unable to overcome Cleveland’s depth.

Statistical Leaders Summary Table

Analytical Breakdowns

Why Cleveland Won

Dominant Inside Scoring

Jarrett Allen’s 11-of-12 shooting from the field provided Cleveland with an unstoppable interior presence. The Cavaliers’ big man consistently converted high-percentage looks, forcing Sacramento to collapse defensively and opening up perimeter opportunities for Harden and Mitchell.

Free Throw Efficiency

Cleveland’s 90.6% free-throw shooting (29-of-32) compared to Sacramento’s 70.0% (14-of-20) created a 15-point differential at the stripe. In a game decided by six points, that gap was the difference between victory and defeat.

Fourth Quarter Execution

The Cavaliers scored 39 points in the final period, their highest output of any quarter. Mitchell’s 29 second-half points and Cleveland’s clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch demonstrated a killer instinct that Sacramento couldn’t match.

Why Sacramento Lost

Turnover Troubles

Sacramento committed 15 turnovers, many of which came in critical moments during the fourth quarter. Domantas Sabonis alone had 7 giveaways, a number that proved fatal against a Cleveland team that capitalized on every mistake.

Defensive Breakdowns on the Perimeter

The Kings allowed James Harden to shoot 5-of-8 from three-point range in his Cavaliers debut. Sacramento’s inability to contain Cleveland’s perimeter attack—particularly in pick-and-roll situations—gave the Cavaliers easy looks when they needed them most.

Lack of Depth Production

While Cleveland received balanced scoring from Mitchell (35), Allen (29), and Harden (23), Sacramento relied heavily on Clifford (30) and Sabonis/Westbrook (21 each). The Kings’ bench couldn’t match the Cavaliers’ second-unit production, a gap that widened as the game progressed.

Historical Context & Advanced Insights

Season Series Breakdown

The Cavaliers completed the season sweep of the Kings with this victory, improving to 2-0 in the 2025-26 head-to-head series. Cleveland’s ability to win both contests—one at home and one on the road—demonstrates their superiority over Sacramento despite the Kings’ competitive efforts.

Advanced Statistical Insights

Assist-to-Field-Goal Ratio: Cleveland’s 30 assists on 46 made baskets (65.2%) indicates a balanced offensive system that doesn’t rely on isolation-heavy possessions. Sacramento’s 26 assists on 42 made baskets (61.9%), while respectable, fell short of the ball movement needed to overcome Cleveland’s individual brilliance.

Offensive and Defensive Ratings: Cleveland posted an offensive rating of 131.5 and a defensive rating of 125.5. Sacramento’s 125.5 offensive rating and 131.5 defensive rating reveal a team that can score but struggles to get stops—a formula that rarely yields wins against playoff-caliber opponents.

Effective Field Goal Percentage: Sacramento actually held a slight edge in eFG% at .596 compared to Cleveland’s .585. However, Cleveland’s superior free-throw rate (.330 vs .149) and lower turnover percentage (.110 vs .149) proved more valuable than raw shooting efficiency.

Game Implications & Key Lessons

What This Means for Cleveland

• The Cavaliers improved to 32-21 and won for the eighth time in nine games, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
• James Harden’s seamless debut (23 points, 8 assists, 5 threes) suggests Cleveland’s front office may have struck gold with the trade acquisition.
• Mitchell’s ability to take over games (29 second-half points) provides Cleveland with a closing weapon few teams can counter.

What This Means for Sacramento

• The Kings dropped to 12-42 and extended their losing streak to 12 games, raising serious questions about the team’s direction.
• Sacramento’s 6-game home losing streak is particularly concerning for a team that needs to protect its home court to have any chance of relevance.
• The Kings’ defensive rating of 131.5 in this game is simply untenable—no team can win consistently while allowing that many points per 100 possessions.

Key Lessons

• Free throw shooting wins close games: Cleveland’s 90.6% from the line vs. Sacramento’s 70.0% created a 15-point swing in a 6-point game.
• Ball security is non-negotiable: 15 turnovers against a team that makes you pay is a recipe for defeat.
• Depth matters: Cleveland’s balanced scoring attack outlasted Sacramento’s top-heavy production.
• Defensive consistency wins championships: The Kings’ inability to get stops in critical moments cost them any chance of victory.
• Star power in the fourth quarter: Mitchell’s 29 second-half points demonstrate that elite shot-creators are essential for late-game success.
• Transition defense: Sacramento’s inability to get back in transition after Cleveland’s made baskets allowed the Cavaliers to build momentum.

FAQ & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Sacramento Kings game on February 7, 2026?

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 132-126 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

What were Donovan Mitchell’s stats in the Cavaliers vs Kings game?

Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points on 13-of-24 shooting, adding 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 34 minutes of action.

How did James Harden perform in his Cavaliers debut?

James Harden recorded 23 points, 8 assists, and 5 three-pointers on 7-of-13 shooting in his first game with Cleveland.

What were the final quarter scores in the Cavaliers vs Kings game?

The quarter-by-quarter scores were: Q1: CLE 25, SAC 31; Q2: CLE 32, SAC 24; Q3: CLE 36, SAC 41; Q4: CLE 39, SAC 30.

Who was the leading scorer for the Sacramento Kings?

Nique Clifford led the Kings with 30 points in the losing effort.

What was the attendance for the Cavaliers vs Kings game?

The game drew 16,212 fans to Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Conclusion

The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Sacramento Kings match player stats reveal a game defined by efficiency and execution rather than raw talent alone. While Sacramento’s offensive output was commendable—posting a higher effective field goal percentage than Cleveland—the Kings’ inability to protect the basketball, convert from the free-throw line, or get stops in critical moments proved their undoing.

For Cleveland, the victory represents more than just another check in the win column. James Harden’s seamless integration alongside Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen suggests the Cavaliers have elevated their ceiling considerably. With Mitchell’s fourth-quarter heroics and Allen’s near-perfect efficiency, Cleveland demonstrated the balanced attack and clutch execution that championship teams require.

Sacramento, meanwhile, faces an offseason of difficult questions. The Kings’ 12th consecutive loss and defensive rating of 131.5 highlight systemic issues that won’t be solved by individual brilliance alone. 

Until Sacramento addresses its defensive identity and turnover problems, nights like these will continue to haunt a franchise desperate for relevance.In the end, this game was a masterclass in winning basketball: make your free throws, take care of the basketball, and let your stars shine when it matters most. The Cavaliers did all three; the Kings did none.