NEW ORLEANS – The Cleveland Cavaliers orchestrated a stunning fourth-quarter turnaround Saturday night, overcoming a 15-point deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-106 at the Smoothie King Center. Even as Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 25 points, a dominant final period from the Cavaliers, fueled by Donovan Mitchell’s 27 points and a collective defensive effort, sealed the victory. Elsewhere in the NBA, the Houston Rockets secured a dramatic win on a buzzer-beating tip-in, and the Atlanta Hawks returned to winning form.
Cavaliers Complete Remarkable Comeback
The Pelicans appeared poised for their eighth consecutive home victory, building a comfortable lead that stretched to 15 points late in the third quarter. Williamson was instrumental in establishing that advantage, consistently attacking the basket and converting opportunities. Yet, the Cavaliers refused to yield. A relentless defensive pressure and a surge in offensive efficiency sparked a 28-6 run that completely flipped the script.
Donovan Mitchell spearheaded the Cavaliers’ attack, finishing with a game-high 27 points. James Harden contributed 20 points, all scored in the third and fourth quarters, providing a crucial scoring boost during the comeback. The Cavaliers’ success in the fourth quarter was particularly notable, shooting 52 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three-point range, and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. They also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Pelicans 19-5 in the final period and 55-40 overall.
Conversely, the Pelicans faltered down the stretch, shooting just 31.2 percent from the field in the fourth quarter and missing all five free-throw attempts. Dennis Schröder, coming off the bench, struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with zero points on 0-for-4 shooting.
Hawks Soar Past Warriors, Rockets Snatch Victory
In Atlanta, the Hawks bounced back with a decisive victory over the Golden State Warriors. Dyson Daniels led the way for Atlanta, pouring in a season-high 28 points, including 15 in the first quarter. The Hawks established control early, utilizing a 25-5 run out of halftime to build a double-digit lead. The Warriors were hampered by the absence of several key players, including Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody, and both Stephen and Klay Curry.
De’Anthony Melton stepped up for Golden State, scoring 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Hawks’ balanced attack and strong performance.
The Houston Rockets secured a thrilling victory against a tough opponent, winning on a last-second tip-in by Amen Thompson. With the game tied and seconds remaining, Kevin Durant attempted a shot that was contested by Bam Adebayo, creating an opportunity for Thompson to secure the offensive rebound and score as the buzzer sounded. Thompson finished with 24 points, shooting 10-for-17 from the field. Durant led all scorers with 27 points, but Adebayo’s strong defensive play and 32 points and 21 rebounds ultimately helped the Heat fall just short.
NBA Scores: Saturday, March 21, 2026
- Cleveland Cavaliers 111 – New Orleans Pelicans 106
- Atlanta Hawks – Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets – Miami Heat
- Los Angeles Clippers – Dallas Mavericks (Overtime)
The Los Angeles Clippers also secured a dramatic overtime victory against the Dallas Mavericks, with Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard combining for 75 points. Leonard’s late-game heroics, including a clutch jumper to force overtime, proved decisive. Cooper Flagg had a strong performance for Dallas, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Clippers’ firepower.
The NBA season continues to deliver exciting contests as teams battle for playoff positioning. Fans can look forward to more compelling matchups in the coming weeks as the regular season nears its conclusion.
Next Up: The Cavaliers will return home to face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, March 24th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST (11:00 PM UTC).
What did you think of the Cavaliers’ incredible comeback? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
