Cavaliers Secure Playoff Spot with Win Over Warriors

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished their three-game road trip with a tough victory over the Golden State Warriors (118-111) at Chase Center. A performance far from perfect, but sufficient to overcome a depleted but combative Golden State team.

A Controlled Game Then Revived in Crunch Time

Cleveland controlled most of the first three quarters, building a 13-point lead at the end of the second period and maintaining a 12-point advantage midway through the third quarter. Donovan Mitchell (25 points, 6 rebounds) and Max Strus (24 points, 6/10 from 3-point range) led the Cavaliers’ offense, supported by James Harden who added 19 points and 5 assists.

The Warriors, without Stephen Curry for the 27th consecutive game, dug deep to get back in the game. Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski each scored 25 points, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 16 points and 7 rebounds after being rested the previous day against San Antonio.

The turning point came at 9 minutes 28 seconds remaining, when Dennis Schroder committed a flagrant foul on LJ Cryer. The sequence that followed saw Draymond Green receive his first technical for shoving Schroder, then Schroder and Kenny Atkinson were both assessed technical fouls. This series of events energized the Warriors who took control of the game.

Dennis Schroder kicked Cryer in the back. #NBA pic.twitter.com/obOMQGS9C4

— Gaurav Gulati (@gulatiLFC) April 3, 2026

Max Strus Seals Victory in Final Seconds

Down four points late in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers responded when it mattered most. Max Strus was the hero of this finish by hitting a crucial 3-pointer with 54 seconds remaining, putting the score at 110-105 in Cleveland’s favor. This shot, combined with important points from Jarrett Allen (16 points, 13 rebounds) and James Harden, allowed the Cavs to secure their seventh win in nine games.

The performance was not without flaws for Cleveland however. The team committed 15 turnovers, including 9 for the Mitchell-Harden duo, giving 23 points to the Warriors off those turnovers. Free throw problems for the big men also persisted, with Evan Mobley (0/2) and Allen (6/12) missing 8 attempts total.

This victory allows the Cavaliers to secure a spot in the top 6 playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The team will return home Sunday to host the Indiana Pacers, while the Warriors will welcome Houston. Stephen Curry could make his return this weekend after participating in his third consecutive scrimmage to test his injured right knee.