Cavaliers Spoil LeBron James Homecoming With 119-95 Win Over 76ers
The Cavaliers beat 76ers LeBron James homecoming night with a 119-95 win at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Friday, November 6. It was LeBron James first game in Cleveland as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, and it did not go the way he or the Sixers hoped. Cleveland took control early, led by 11 points after the first quarter, and never let the game get close again. Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points for the Cavs, Evan Mobley added 22, and Cleveland handed the Sixers their first loss after five straight wins.
The win was also Cleveland first game of the 2026 NBA Cup, and it moved the Cavs to 5-4 on the season. The Sixers fell to 8-3 after entering the night with the best record in the NBA at 8-2. For Cleveland, the result was sweet revenge for the season opener, when the Cavs gave up a 29 point lead on the road and lost 114-106 to the same Sixers team on October 22.
Quick Facts
| Final score | Cleveland Cavaliers 119, Philadelphia 76ers 95 |
| Date | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Venue | Rocket Arena, Cleveland |
| Tipoff and TV | Shortly after 7:30 p.m., televised on Prime Video |
| Occasion | Cleveland first 2026 NBA Cup game, LeBron James first game in Cleveland as a 76er |
| Cavs top scorer | Donovan Mitchell, 23 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds |
| LeBron James line | 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 6 turnovers in 32 minutes |
| Records after the game | Cavaliers 5-4, 76ers 8-3 |
| Next meeting | March 1 in Cleveland |
How the Cavs Took Control Early and Never Let Go
Cleveland came out with energy, and the first quarter set the tone for the whole night. The Cavs outscored the Sixers 33-22 in the first 12 minutes. By halftime the score was 62-54, and by the end of the third quarter Cleveland led 91-74. The Cavs pushed the lead to 23 points in the fourth quarter before closing out the 119-95 win.
The rebounding told much of the story. Cleveland outrebounded Philadelphia 29-18 in the first half alone, which gave the Cavs extra chances and limited the Sixers to one shot on most trips. Cleveland also led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter.
The fourth quarter made the result clear well before the final buzzer. Cleveland led 105-87 when LeBron James checked out with 3:54 left, and the crowd applauded as he walked to the bench. A 24 point win over a team that came in at 8-2 is a statement, and the Cavs made it while short handed, with Jarrett Allen out and Evan Mobley playing center.
LeBron James and His Tough Night in Cleveland
The story of the night, even in a 24 point loss for his team, was LeBron James. The Akron native was playing his first game in Cleveland as a member of the 76ers after signing with Philadelphia on July 24. He chose the Sixers over the Cavs, the Miami Heat, the Golden State Warriors, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, after spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
On the court, though, James had one of the quietest nights of his career. He finished with a season low 8 points on 3 of 12 shooting from the field, including 0 of 4 on 3-pointers. He added 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, but he also committed 6 turnovers in 32 minutes. The turnovers hurt, the missed shots piled up, and the Sixers never found a rhythm with their star struggling.
The numbers also ended a remarkable streak. According to ESPN, the game snapped his streak of 396 consecutive regular season games in double digit scoring in Cleveland. James scored fewer than 10 points in just one game last season with the Lakers, when he had 8 points against Toronto on December 4, 2025. None of that changes what James means to Cleveland, and the crowd showed it with applause as he checked out. He is from Akron, he brought Cleveland a championship, and the fans know it.
Mitchell and Mobley Lead the Way for Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell was the best player on the floor for Cleveland. He scored 23 points, handed out 8 assists, and grabbed 7 rebounds, filling up the stat sheet in every way a guard can. There was one scary moment in the third quarter, when he appeared to tweak an ankle and went to the locker room, but he returned to the game and the Cavs kept rolling.
Evan Mobley was just as important. With Jarrett Allen out because of a right knee contusion, Mobley slid over to play center, and he answered with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. That is a big night for any player, and it is even bigger while playing out of position. James Harden gave the Cavs a third scorer with 17 points and 6 rebounds, and his steady play kept the offense balanced.
The bench was strong too. Mario Hezonja came off the bench to record 15 points and 10 rebounds, a double double that gave Cleveland a lift when the starters rested. Peyton Watson added 13 points and 9 rebounds in his return from injury. One down note was guard Sam Merrill, who left with a right elbow injury and did not return after scoring 0 points in 13 minutes.
What the Win Means for the Cavs and the 76ers
For Cleveland, the win did more than settle a score from opening night. It kept the Cavs from falling below .500, moving them to 5-4, and it gave them a strong start to NBA Cup play. The NBA Cup gives regular season games extra meaning, and winning the first Cup game at home sets Cleveland up well in group play. Coach Kenny Atkinson will be pleased with the balance, the rebounding, and the defense.
For Philadelphia, the loss ended a five game winning streak and dropped the Sixers to 8-3. They still have one of the best records in the league, but the way they lost will sting. Jaylen Brown led the Sixers with 20 points, VJ Edgecombe scored 19, and Tyrese Maxey added 17, but it was not enough.
Cleveland has now shown it can beat the best team in the league, even without Jarrett Allen. Philadelphia has now shown that it can be beaten badly when its stars have off nights. Both lessons will matter when the teams meet again on March 1 in Cleveland.
The Backstory: From the Season Opener to the Homecoming
To understand why this game mattered so much, it helps to look back at October 22, when these two teams opened the season against each other. The Cavs built a 29 point lead on the road that night, and then watched it disappear as the Sixers came all the way back to win 114-106. Blowing a 29 point lead is the kind of loss that stays with a team, and the Cavs had been waiting for a chance to answer it.
Friday night was that chance. On July 24, James announced that he would sign with the 76ers in free agency. The Cavs were one of his main suitors, along with the Miami Heat, the Golden State Warriors, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Instead, he chose Philadelphia, and his first trip back to Cleveland as a 76er became a date circled on the calendar.
The setting added to the moment. The game was Cleveland first 2026 NBA Cup game, it tipped off shortly after 7:30 p.m., and it was televised on Prime Video. James is from Akron, just down the road, and he carried the Cavs to a championship that ended a long title drought for the city. The Cavs made sure the basketball did the talking. They rebounded, they defended, they shared the ball, and they won by 24 points.
What Comes Next for Both Teams
Cleveland will look to build on this win and keep climbing above .500. The return of Jarrett Allen from his right knee contusion will help, and the return of Peyton Watson from injury already gave the bench a boost. If Mitchell stays healthy after his ankle scare in the third quarter, and if Mobley keeps playing at this level, the Cavs have the pieces to keep winning.
Philadelphia will look to bounce back quickly and protect its strong start. At 8-3, the Sixers are still in a fine spot, and the five game winning streak that ended on Friday showed how good this team can be. For James, the next game is also a chance to return to double digit scoring and leave the 8 point night behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Cavaliers vs 76ers on November 6?
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 119-95 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Friday, November 6, 2026. The Cavs led 33-22 after the first quarter, 62-54 at halftime, and 91-74 after three quarters. It moved the Cavs to 5-4 and dropped the Sixers to 8-3.
How did LeBron James play in his first game in Cleveland as a 76er?
LeBron James had a tough night, finishing with a season low 8 points on 3 of 12 shooting, including 0 of 4 on 3-pointers, along with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 6 turnovers in 32 minutes. He checked out with 3:54 left to applause with the Cavs leading 105-87. It snapped his streak of 396 straight regular season games in double digit scoring in Cleveland, according to ESPN.
Who led the Cavaliers in scoring against the 76ers?
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 23 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. Evan Mobley added 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists while playing center with Jarrett Allen out. James Harden scored 17 points, and Mario Hezonja had 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
When do the Cavaliers and 76ers play again?
The teams meet once more this regular season, on March 1 in Cleveland. The Sixers won the first meeting 114-106 on October 22, and the Cavs won the second meeting 119-95 on November 6. The March 1 game will decide the season series.
Sources
For more NBA coverage, read about the Suns beating the Magic 117-104 behind Devin Booker 30 points and the Warriors beating the Heat 120-100 in Klay Thompson return to Chase Center. You can also read our story on Kristaps Porzingis stepping away from basketball.
Final Thoughts
Friday night at Rocket Arena had a homecoming, a hot team, a revenge game, and a blowout that few saw coming. The Cavaliers beat 76ers LeBron James homecoming night in clear fashion, winning 119-95 and reminding everyone that Cleveland is a tough place to play, even for the best player of his generation.
LeBron James will be fine. One quiet night does not change a career, and the applause that followed him off the court showed that Cleveland still holds him close. But this night belonged to the Cavs. Mitchell and Mobley led the way, the bench delivered, and the team defended and rebounded from start to finish. That is how you spoil a homecoming, and that is how you answer a blown 29 point lead.
