NBA: Philadelphia rallies from 29 points down to shock Cleveland

Only two games into the 2026-27 NBA regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers are already displaying their limitless potential, never-say-die attitude, and mental resilience.

On Oct. 23, 2026, Philadelphia pulled off the season’s biggest comeback so far, rallying from 29 points down to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-106, at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

With 21,423 fans in attendance for LeBron James’ first regular-season home game as a 76er, the Cavaliers appeared poised to hand Philadelphia a night to forget after extending their biggest lead to 29 points, 69-40, on Donovan Mitchell’s turnaround jumper from the left baseline.

The 76ers opened the contest by racing down the floor and matching the Cavaliers’ high-octane execution with early baskets from James, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid.

However, the Cavaliers began to put their stamp on the game during the final four minutes of the first quarter, turning a two-point lead into a lopsided 35-18 advantage capped by Mitchell’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

After that surge, Cleveland dominated the second quarter with tight defense, forcing the 76ers to commit 14 first-half turnovers while building a 69-45 lead.

Mitchell erupted for 22 first-half points, while the frontcourt duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley helped Cleveland dominate the boards, especially on the offensive glass.

Philadelphia appeared dead in the water after a sloppy first half, but momentum slowly shifted in its favor when the third quarter began.

In the blink of an eye, the 76ers flipped the switch and pounced on Cleveland with an 8-0 burst led by James, who scored 10 points in the third quarter.

Philadelphia nearly erased its 29-point deficit during the third quarter, pulling within three points, 80-77, behind the combined efforts of Maxey and James.

However, the Cavaliers responded and entered the final frame with an eight-point lead, 90-82, behind Mitchell and Mario Hezonja.

When the Cavaliers tried to return to their pick-and-roll plays with Allen, the 76ers made a crucial defensive adjustment by positioning Embiid away from the action.

With that adjustment, Embiid provided help from the weak side and bothered Allen and Mobley’s flip shots without having to cover as much ground from the top of the key to the paint.

The offense followed, as Jaylen Brown took matters into his own hands by draining three consecutive baskets that put the 76ers ahead by seven points, 102-95, in the final five minutes of regulation.

The Cavaliers failed to regain their first-half form and were overwhelmed as the 76ers mounted a 15-0 run to stretch their lead to nine points, 104-95.

Maxey led Philadelphia’s well-oiled offense with 32 points on efficient 12-for-23 shooting, along with six assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

Embiid added 24 points, Brown nearly recorded a double-double with 21 points and eight rebounds, while James finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 32 points and 10 rebounds, but his backcourt partner, James Harden, scored only 16 points on 12 attempts.

The 76ers will aim to extend their unbeaten start to three games on Oct. 25 against the Milwaukee Bucks, while Mitchell and the Cavaliers will seek to regroup on the same date against the Brooklyn Nets.