SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James Harden wasted no time asserting his influence on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who secured a thrilling 132-126 victory over the struggling Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. This win marked the Cavaliers’ third consecutive triumph and their eighth victory in the past nine matchups.

Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson praised his team’s poise, likening it to last season’s calm demeanor during high-pressure situations. “We have a confidence about us now. There’s no panic,” he said, highlighting the impact of star players Harden and Donovan Mitchell in clutch moments.

The game didn’t start smoothly for Harden or the Cavaliers. Still adapting to his new environment following a blockbuster trade, Harden found himself adjusting on the fly. As Cleveland fell behind early, trailing 15-8 within the first few minutes, Atkinson was compelled to call an early timeout.

After concluding the first quarter down 31-25, the Cavaliers mounted a spirited comeback in the second. An explosive 15-2 run, fueled by new acquisitions Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, helped shift the momentum and allowed the Cavaliers to take a slim two-point lead at halftime.

Despite the promising second quarter, the Cavaliers struggled in the third, looking disjointed on offense. The Kings, aiming to end an 11-game losing streak, regained a double-digit lead with just under five minutes remaining in the period. But Cleveland’s revamped bench surged back, igniting an 11-0 run to reclaim the lead — momentarily, at least.

Heading into the final quarter, the Kings led by three points. It was then that Donovan Mitchell took center stage, scoring the Cavaliers’ first 11 points of the period. With about eight minutes left and the team trailing by two, Harden reentered the game and hit a crucial three-pointer, flipping the scoreboard in Cleveland’s favor.

The resilient Kings fought back, restoring their lead to two points before extending it to seven. Cleveland countered with an impressive 8-0 run, capped off by another pivotal three-pointer from Harden. The atmosphere in the Golden 1 Center shifted as the Cavaliers rallied.

With just under a minute left, DeMar DeRozan knocked down a three for Sacramento, tying the game. Mitchell quickly responded by driving to the basket, earning free throws, which he converted, while Harden sealed the victory by adding points at the charity stripe.

Harden finished his debut with the Cavaliers with 23 points, including 15 in the decisive fourth quarter, complemented by eight assists in 32 minutes of play. “I just have to figure it out, figure out where I fit in,” he remarked after the game, expressing confidence in his ability to integrate with the team.

Both he and Mitchell showcased their potential, becoming the first set of teammates in Cavaliers history to score at least 15 points each in the fourth quarter of a game since the play-by-play era began in 1996-97. Mitchell led the scoring with 35 points, while Jarrett Allen added 29 points and 10 rebounds to the mix.

For the Kings, Nique Clifford emerged as the standout with 30 points, supported by six teammates reaching double figures. Despite the loss, the game indicated the potential for the Cavaliers, who are still forming chemistry following their high-profile trade.

Looking ahead, the Cavaliers face a challenging matchup on the road against the Denver Nuggets, with tipoff scheduled for Monday night at 9 p.m.