Cavs lose to Hornets as James Harden struggles in defeat

The Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Charlotte Hornets 124-112 on November 9, 2026, trailing by as much as 30 points during the game. The Cavaliers' issues were highlighted by poor defensive performances and a lack of offensive cohesion. Meleek Thomas stood out for Cleveland, scoring 18 points and providing energy, while James Harden contributed 11 points but faced criticism for his performance. The loss marks one of the Cavaliers' stark downturns in recent seasons, raising concerns about the team's direction and Harden's fit on the roster.

• 2:34 AMYahoo Sports — Player Grades: Cavs vs Hornets – James Harden reaches DEFCON 1