The Highest Points Scored Against the Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA History
Jan 28, 2026
Since joining the NBA in 1970, the Cleveland Cavaliers have witnessed some of the most explosive individual scoring performances in league history. The following five players delivered the most devastating offensive outbursts ever seen against the franchise, with each torching the Cavs for at least 51 points in a single game.
1. Michael Jordan—69 Points
On March 28, 1990, Michael Jordan put together the single greatest scoring performance against the Cavaliers in franchise history. The Bulls' guard was unstoppable, hitting 23 of 37 from the field while draining 2 threes and going 21-for-23 from the charity stripe in a complete 50-minute effort. Jordan added 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and a block in a 117–113 overtime Chicago victory that showcased his dominance of the game. The performance stands as one of Jordan's many memorable moments against the Cavs. Of the top five games against the Cavaliers, Jordan owns three of them, including a 55-point and a 54-point regular-season game.
2. James Harden—55 Points
On December 11, 2019, James Harden delivered an impressive performance against the Cavaliers, exploding for 55 points in just 41 minutes. The Rockets' guard was locked in from the opening tip, shooting 20-for-34 from the field with 10 threes and a perfect 5-for-5 showing from the line. Harden's 55.6% shooting from beyond the arc highlighted just how dialed in he was, adding 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in a complete two-way display. Houston pulled out a 116–110-point victory thanks to Harden's dominance, as he demonstrated why he was one of the most lethal scorers of his generation.
3. Allen Iverson—54 Points
Allen Iverson carved up the Cavaliers on January 6, 2001, for 54 points in a typical performance by "The Answer.” The 76ers' guard was both efficient and relentless, hitting 20 of 30 from the field with 4 threes while going 10-for-13 from the charity stripe in 44 minutes of action. Iverson added 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals to his stat line, controlling the game on both ends of the floor. Philadelphia escaped Cleveland with a 107–103 victory, with Iverson's 75.6 true shooting percentage from the field serving as a reminder that when he got hot, there was simply no stopping him.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—53 Points
On February 9, 1972, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar delivered a clinic against the Cavaliers, pouring in 53 points during Cleveland's second year in the league. The Milwaukee Bucks' center was nearly automatic, knocking down 23 of 31 field goal attempts while adding 7-for-9 from the free-throw line in 48 minutes. Kareem dominated the glass with 14 rebounds and dished out 8 assists, completely controlling the game from start to finish. The performance tied his highest-scoring game against the Cavs, as he dropped 53 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists on Cleveland just over a year earlier in November 1970, proving that the young franchise had no answer for the skyhook.
5. Vernon Maxwell—51 Points
One of the more surprising names on this list, Vernon Maxwell's 51-point explosion on January 26, 1991, stands as the highest-scoring game of his career. Playing for the Houston Rockets, Maxwell was having a night, hitting 14 of 25 from the field with 4 threes and an impressive 19-for-22 showing from the charity stripe. "Mad Max" needed 46 minutes to reach 51 points while adding 5 rebounds, leading Houston, which was without star big man Hakeem Olajuwon, to a 103–97 victory.
