From The Sports Desk: James Harden spurs Cleveland to overtime win over Detroit

May 15, 2026 - 02:31

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the verge of a Eastern Conference finals berth after a dramatic overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons, fueled by a vintage performance from James Harden. The former MVP, acquired midseason, delivered a masterclass in clutch play, finishing with 38 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds to lead the Cavs to a 127-121 win.

Cleveland trailed by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, looking flat and disjointed against a gritty Detroit squad. But Harden took over in the fourth, scoring 14 points and setting up key buckets for Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. His step-back three-pointer with 12 seconds left in regulation tied the game, forcing overtime.

In the extra period, Harden continued to dictate the pace, drawing fouls and finding cutters. He assisted on a crucial dunk by Jarrett Allen and then sealed the game with a driving layup over Detroit's Jaden Ivey. The Cavaliers now hold a 3-1 series lead, with Game 5 set for Saturday in Cleveland.

"It was just about staying locked in," Harden said after the game. "We knew they were going to come out swinging, but we have a resilient group. We never panic."

Detroit was led by Cade Cunningham's 31 points and 9 assists, but the Pistons could not contain Harden in the game's biggest moments. The Cavaliers will look to close out the series at home, aiming for their first conference finals appearance since 2018.