Cavs thump 76ers in James return, Celtics crush Hornets

LOS ANGELES, United States — The Cleveland Cavaliers spoiled LeBron James's latest homecoming on Friday (Saturday, Manila time), beating Philadelphia 119-95 to snap the 76ers' five-game NBA winning streak.

James, playing his first game in Cleveland since opting to head to Philadelphia as a free agent in June rather than returning for a third stint with his hometown Cavs, was greeted by warm cheers -- and scattered boos -- when he was introduced.

The four-time NBA champion, playing his 24th NBA season at the age of 41, was cheered again when he exited the game late in the fourth quarter.

In between it was a rough night for James and his Sixers teammates, who suffered just their second defeat of the young season.

The league's all-time leading scorer finished with eight points on three-of-12 shooting with seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and six turnovers.

Star center Joel Embiid missed all nine of his shots from the floor, making six free throws for six points.

Jaylen Brown, like James an off-season import, led the Sixers with 20 points, but the Cavaliers seized control early and repelled every Philadelphia surge to halt their two-game slide.

Donovan Mitchell scored 10 of his 23 points in the first quarter. Evan Mobley added 22 points, and Cleveland out-rebounded Philadelphia 56-42 despite the injury absence of center Jarrett Allen.

"I did not feel in a good rhythm offensively," James said. "We didn't look like much offensively. We had a couple of spurts. We were able to cut (the deficit) to three in the third quarter. But too many turnovers on my behalf."

Friday's games were part of NBA Cup group-stage action. The New York Knicks won the in-season tournament last year before going on to win their first NBA title since 1973.

Group-stage Cup games will be played throughout November, all counting in the regular-season standings. Quarter-finals will be played December 4-5 and semi-finals December 8-9 before the final on December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Boston Celtics drained a whopping 24 three-pointers on 44 attempts in a 119-80 blowout of the Hornets in Charlotte.

Jayson Tatum, back after sitting out Wednesday's win over the Bucks, drilled five three-pointers on the way to a game-high 34 points for Boston -- who led by as many as 46 points in the wire-to-wire win.

"I thought every shot he took was a great shot," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Tatum, who added eight rebounds and nine assists.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominance of the Grizzlies with a 128-97 win in Memphis.

Ajay Mitchell scored a career-high 35 points and two-time defending NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 for the Thunder, who notched a 13th straight regular-season win over the Grizzlies despite missing injured starters Jaylen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren.

The absences were irrelevant as the Thunder jumped to a 71-49 halftime lead.

Memphis dropped their third straight defeat after opening the season with six straight wins.

In Dallas, Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving came alive in the second half to help the Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 112-100.

Dallas forward P.J. Washington scored 22 of his 26 points in a first half that ended tied 57-57.

Flagg, who scored four points before the break, finished with 21 and Irving, held to two points in the first half, finished with 14 as Dallas used a big third quarter to gain control and held on down the stretch.

abtestabtest Olivarez rallies past Damian, sets up title clash with Tangub 13 hours ago Eric Olivarez overcame a second-set stumble to reassert his dominance over Noel Damian, scoring a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory to... Sports Alcaraz into Paris Masters quarters after Berrettini withdraws 1 day ago Carlos Alcaraz moved into the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters after his Last 16 opponent Matteo Berrettini withdrew. ... Sports Olivarez turns back Eric Olivarez, faces Tangub for National Open crown 23 hours ago Eric Olivarez overcame a second-set stumble to reassert his dominance over Noel Damian, scoring a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory to... Sports Gritty Eala squeaks past old tormentor By John Bryan Ulanday | 1 day ago Alex Eala finally solved the Tereza Valentova puzzle with a gutsy 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) sweep and rolled her way to the WTA250 Prudential... Sports Team Astral pulls off FWC three-peat 1 day ago The Flyff Universe World Championship (FWC) 2026 came to a close with Team Astral securing their third consecutive title... Sports Latest More in Sports NCAA Player of the Week Mangubat bombs away for JRU Antonelli on top ahead of Norris in second Sao Paulo GP practice Pagdanganan survives, advances to LPGA Q-Series Final Stage Alcaraz saves match points to reach Paris Masters semis abtest Porzingis steps away from NBA over health issues 4 hours ago Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis said Friday (Saturday, Manila time) he is stepping away from basketball due... Sports Fiberxers book first semis entry By Olmin Leyba | 13 hours ago After seven futile attempts, Converge got past the Last-8, meeting its date with franchise history with a 120-109 dispatching... Sports Waiting for Bennie By Joaquin Henson | 13 hours ago Gilas head coach Tim Cone is waiting for newly-naturalized Bennie Boatwright to arrive in Manila but his flight schedule depends... Sports PLDT: A pesky nemesis for Creamline By Joey Villar | 13 hours ago  The PLDT team has been a puzzle Creamline can’t solve. Sports Recommended VP Sara leaves for Hong Kong 13 hours ago Vice President Sara Duterte left for Hong Kong yesterday where she is expected to stay until Nov. 8, a day before her defense... SportsIMPEACHMENT Socmed affecting public perception of VP impeachment 13 hours ago Public opinion of the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is largely affected by information being shared... SportsIMPEACHMENT VP’s SALN, AMLC records formally admitted into evidence 13 hours ago The Senate impeachment court has formally admitted into evidence the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)... SportsIMPEACHMENT VP Sara to visit Hong Kong ahead of impeachment trial resumption 1 day ago The Office of the Vice President announced that Vice President Sara Duterte will be in Hong Kong until November 8, just one... SportsIMPEACHMENT TRIALOVPSARA DUTERTE Senate impeachment court reimposes gag order for withdrawn articles 1 day ago The Senate impeachment court has reimposed its gag order on the three charges prosecutors dropped against Vice President Sara... SportsIMPEACHMENTSARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENTSENATE next Recommended VP Sara leaves for Hong Kong Vice President Sara Duterte left for Hong Kong yesterday where she is expected to stay until Nov. 8, a day before her defense team starts to present evidence in the ongoing impeachment trial against her. 13 hours ago IMPEACHMENT Socmed affecting public perception of VP impeachment Public opinion of the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is largely affected by information being shared on social media, a political scientist said. 13 hours ago IMPEACHMENT VP’s SALN, AMLC records formally admitted into evidence The Senate impeachment court has formally admitted into evidence the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records of Vice President Sara Duterte, while denying the prosecution’s plea to include Commission on Audit (COA) reports regarding her controversial confidential funds. 13 hours ago IMPEACHMENT VP Sara to visit Hong Kong ahead of impeachment trial resumption The Office of the Vice President announced that Vice President Sara Duterte will be in Hong Kong until November 8, just one day before the resumption of her impeachment trial. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OVP SARA DUTERTE Senate impeachment court reimposes gag order for withdrawn articles The Senate impeachment court has reimposed its gag order on the three charges prosecutors dropped against Vice President Sara Duterte, reversing an October ruling that had freed both sides to discuss them in public. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT SENATE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!