標籤: Harden

The Cleveland Cavaliers took a gamble with the James Harden trade during the season, hoping it would propel them into the NBA playoffs. Heading into the elimination game, Harden’s future in Cleveland seems predetermined.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported this weekend that even if they bow out in Game 7 on Sunday, “there is an understanding” that the Cavaliers will work out a new contract with Harden.

Cleveland is reportedly already “happy” with the replacement of Darius Garland in favor of Harden. The former NBA MVP provides Cleveland with the lead guard they’ve been looking to pair with Donovan Mitchell, and he’s seen enough of that to commit to him long-term.

Harden has a $42.317 million player option for the 2026–27 season, which he is expected to decline. However, while he may explore his options in NBA free agency, the Cavaliers’ situation appears to be the best fit for him.

For now, it seems like there is an unwritten agreement between both sides that Harden will be taken care of this summer. He is set to get a multi-year extension that will likely include a player option, potentially also allowing him to hit the open market again next summer.

So, no matter what happens in Game 7 on Sunday night against the Detroit Pistons, the Cavaliers are ready to move forward with the guard tandem of Harden and Mitchell. It’s less clear whether both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley will be part of the organization’s plans if they are waived again before the Eastern Conference Finals.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

As the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season begins to wind down, there are questions as to who will join James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the Cavs’ starting lineup when the playoffs arrive. Due to injuries and sporadic player availability, it has been difficult to establish consistency in the five matches before the start of the month, making decisions not easy.

However, as Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson has mentioned in the past, that’s why he has the job he does. Ultimately it is up to him and his staff to make the difficult decisions, such as who starts, who ends, and how many people play.

“We probably have to get to nine,” Atkinson said last week in Milwaukee. “I’m still evaluating who fits in and who will lead the way in terms of coming into the rotation. I still think we haven’t made a clear decision on who that nine is.

“But it’s hard to play 10. You might be able to do it early in the first round; you might be able to do it in the early games. But eventually, you get to nine or eight. We know that, but I still think we have to evaluate, especially our wings. We have a lot of wings right now.”

Realistically, the Cavs can pick whoever they want since they have a number of similar swingmen.

Here are the most likely candidates for that final starting spot.

dean wade

Atkinson likes the defensive versatility that Dean Wade brings to the table and, in turn, has rewarded him with the job when healthy. It makes sense because he’s a 6-foot-9, 230-pound underutilized player who can knock down open threes and rebound. People get frustrated when he doesn’t make shots and even more excited when he turns down shots, but the reality is that the veteran forward simply needs to be a threat on the perimeter of space and get closeouts.

The Cavs don’t need to be a big scorer; Just look at who she’s on the floor with. Don’t let the box score determine your opinion of Wade. As long as he’s doing his job – defending, breaking the glass, and making the perfect next play, which involves shooting the ball – then he’s the man for the job. He, Mobley and Allen form a trio that makes it difficult for any opponent to consistently counter, which makes sense considering they have been playing together for five seasons.

Furthermore, if the decision is made to send him to the bench, Wade isn’t exactly a prolific scorer to promote him in the way most sixth men typically do.

From the beginning, Atkinson has made it clear that Max Strus’ postseason berth is a lock. In four games, despite the ban, he has averaged 23.5 minutes per contest. While Strus’ season debut is doing the heavy lifting, he is averaging 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists on .440/.409/1.000 shooting splits. Similar to Wade, the 29-year-old doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective on a nightly basis for Cleveland.

However, Strus can handle the rock, and he has proven capable in the past with the Cavs’ rolling bigs in half-court scenarios. He’s a pocket passer with Allen in the two-man game, and Atkinson thinks there’s still potential with Mobley in dribble handoffs, as he did with Bam Adebayo in Miami. Strus has an uncanny knack for hitting contested threes, being in the right place at the right time for a backtap, and saving possessions with a quick game.

He gives Cleveland solid strength at third, and he has been a (healthy) everyday starter for Cleveland since signing as a free agent in the summer of 2023. If he is physically prepared and ready for the tough conditions of the postseason after this disappointing injury, he will be a big factor.

jaylon tyson

Switching roles isn’t as easy as Jaylon Tyson has had to do this season, but he’s handled it with ease. The burden from being one of the most important players on your team to playing less than 20 minutes in three consecutive games takes a toll on the mind. And yet, the second-year rising star is doing exactly what he’s asked in a specific role. Tyson was rewarded for that on Thursday night in Chicago, as he had an 18-point, 11-rebound performance before suffering a toe injury.

Injury aside, is it fair to ask Tyson, who emerged as a secondary playmaker in short roles next to Mitchell and Co. in the first half of the season, to do a similar job to Wade or Strus? It feels like it puts him in a kind of box, unlike what we saw in the first months. If he’s in the starting five, will he be limited to a low-usage role player, or will Cleveland free him up to the max be that? There can be no questioning his commitment as an individual defender or the attitude he brings to the field, although he has been self-critical about losing the ball to opponents on backdoor cuts.

Understanding that people have to pay their dues, it looks like Tyson has earned his money and shouldn’t be going back. If coming off the bench allows him to thrive in a looser unit as a facilitator and scorer, so be it. It’s admirable that he’s willing to be what the team wants him to be, but perhaps coaches should think twice about what they’re asking of him.

keon ellis

Keon Ellis made his first two starts for the Cavs in mid-March against the Dallas Mavericks. As a player he’s “still discovering,” Atkinson has a real passion for how he works in the pocket with his float game. Additionally, Ellis has shown a burst of driving from close to the perimeter, and Cleveland has been pleased with the increase in his offensive rebounding rate since his arrival.

It’s hard to argue against Ellis in terms of his defensive ability. He sees the dramas before they happen, acts on them, and resorts to alcohol and sleep on a nightly basis. Atkinson doesn’t mind playing him, and he also won’t hesitate to toss him to the 4 in small-ball sets. Ellis makes a lot of logical sense as a starter due to his low usage and patience.

Sam Merrill

It’s been a career season for Sam Merrill, who is averaging 12.8 points on a career-high 66.2% true shooting. He has started in 33 of his 45 appearances this season, and has had an almost even split between playing at 2 and 3. Merrill is an off-ball threat with consistent movement. His processing speed has improved tremendously with more reps, allowing him to establish chemistry with Harden and consistently thrive next to Mitchell.

Always on the floor, Merrill will leave his body to screen and defend despite being hunted. He will take the charge and ensure that he is present to contest the elections. It appears he is better suited at shooting guard because he is not forced to guard long, tall wings, but he is a starting-caliber player in this league. You can’t just look at Meryl one-dimensionally anymore. He will force you to pay off the dribble, get to the basket with cuts and take advantage of any piece of space.

However, who is the right Cavs fit?

The Cavs have an abundance of talent in the wing room for the modern league. Due to the length and strength of his potential opponents at 3, Wade makes the most logical sense. Last year was the only time Cleveland was able to field a healthy version of him in the postseason, and he was 10th in the rotation in the first round. Due to untimely injuries, the team had to throw him into the fire when the Indiana Pacers series was coming to an end.

Wade played only one postseason game with Mobley and Allen, lasting four minutes. One of the team’s most effective trio over the past few years has barely made an appearance due to bad luck and lack of opportunity. For example, Wade, Mobley and Allen shared the floor for 249 minutes last season.

This year, in 163 minutes, the combination has a net rating of plus-17.2, with tremendous balance on both ends of the floor. Ultimately seeing this happen with talents like Harden and Mitchell in the starting five last April could be the key to getting off to a good start defensively and setting the tone on the board.

Good defense leads to good offense. Its as simple as that.

Who gets to close out Cavs games is a different story.

Desmond Benn proved on Wednesday why he’s worth a trade to the Memphis Grizzlies. The new Orlando Magic sharpshooter stifled James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers from deep threes, ending a rally in the process.

Bane executed this clutch catch-and-shoot dagger that ended the Cavs’ late run. He threw the ball over Keon Ellis to put Orlando ahead by five before securing the 128–122 win.

Desmond Bain in clutch 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Pyv9efi8Cs

– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 12 March 2026

Even more adventurous was Ben’s Basket time. Cleveland could not challenge the Magic’s poor passing, which Harden even tried to dispute. Harden is also heard talking to the referee to explain his case.

“on my life!”

James Harden to the referee😭😭 pic.twitter.com/GwDaWc4c25

– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) 12 March 2026

Still, Ben showed the magic that made him worth a deal.

Desmond Bain looking at the Magic trade that led to Wednesday’s moment

Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were part of the blockbuster summer deal. But there were more than just giants there.

Four unprotected first round picks came with the Bain deal. Orlando still landed one of the league’s top perimeter shooters, which kept the Magic out of last season’s playoffs.

The 27-year-old is proving his shooting ability, averaging 20.4 points per game, including shooting 38.7% from long range. He especially lit up Cleveland for 35 points on 12 of 19 field goal shooting.

Bane has now added his 12th 30-point game of the season in his arrival to Orlando. His current best is 37 which he dropped over the Chicago Bulls (in a 125–120 win on December 1) and the Detroit Pistons (in a 112–109 road win on November 28).

Ben’s shooting has ignited a five-game winning streak for a Magic team seeking a return to the postseason. And maybe the Cavs-Magic will be the No. 4 and No. 5 pairing in the Eastern Conference.

As of Sunday afternoon, Evan Mobley had played only a handful of roles as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ lone big man and James Harden was running the show. But since Jarrett Allen has been out the last two games due to knee tendinitis, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson has taken a closer look at the Harden-Mobley tandem, and he’s intrigued by the prospects.

“I want them to come together and work on it more,” Atkinson said after Cleveland’s 115-101 win over the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers. “I think it could be a really lethal combination. Obviously, with JA, it’s a little different because JA is kind of a lob guy. Evan is a little more controlled in the role.

“I’ve talked to James about it, just to get the two of them together and talk to Evan — how he wants the screening angle, when he wants her to slip, when he wants her to hold him down. With Evan, you can even mingle in pops. But as those guys get a better relationship, go to the gym together a little bit more, I’m excited about it.”

As Atkinson noted, there are plenty of differences between each of the Cavs’ big men in the 5. Allen is one of the best screeners in the NBA, in addition to being one of the fastest rollers in the game. That’s why he and Harden have instantly formed a good rapport.

Mobley usually has to play him when both he and Allen are in the game. He’s more in the dunker spot, or he’s cutting from the corners. There’s still another layer to big-time passing in those situations, out of the pocket catches, or engaging in the high-low action that made the “Tower City” duo so dangerous when they first started playing together in a pick-and-roll heavy offense. But what happens when Alan isn’t there?

“The difference is just distinct,” Atkinson said. “Donovan [Mitchell]Already have rapport and have played one-on-one with Ivan, so with James, it will be something new.

“But who knows? Game 3, first round of the playoffs, you might have to go with a big. You might have to go with Evan as your only 5. It’s great that we’re getting reps in there. I hate to have JA out, but the positive is that James and Evan can get some synergy with that single-big lineup.”

Operating without his frontcourt partner, in the little time he spent with Harden, Mobley had to adapt to his traditional pick-and-roll game to fill the void. Atkinson shared that the two talked about it during Monday’s game.

“He’s got to be even better,” Atkinson said of Mobley. “Teams surround him when he gets into the paint, and he has to be able to read those things fast. But I like when he gathers himself, makes two plays. [feet]. But you still have to read: are they coming, are they staying at home? I’m glad he and James are getting reps in this; Ivan is not used to rolling all the time. I think James can help them perform better. I think Ivan is good, but he can be much better.”

“I have to dominate the paint,” Mobley said during practice last week. “Jarrett plays a big role in it and helps me with it. And if he’s in or he’s out, I have to be that guy to keep the paint down, and set good screens offensively, to make it easier for James to get into that role and be aggressive offensively as well.”

When asked what it took to get used to the new point guard, Mobley pointed to instincts such as when, where and how to set those picks. It helps that he’s been watching Harden “for most of his life,” so nothing surprises him. However, it’s one thing to watch it on television and another to react to it on the floor.

“He’s very confident,” Mobley said. “Not really fast, plays at his own pace. So if there’s a blitz, he’s big, he’s strong, so he can throw it over the top. He throws good passes behind the bigs. He’s not afraid to take risks. There are a lot of advantages with the way he controls the game.”

So far, the Harden-Mobley combination has played 140 possessions without Allen, according to Cleaning the Glass. It’s not a huge sample size, and it’s been a mixed bag of competition, but early returns say Cleveland can get to the free-throw line at will and take care of the basketball with the best of them. The problem is a poor offensive rebounding percentage and an effective field goal percentage of 47.7% which ranks second in the NBA.

Is the eFG% figure distorted by a very poor second quarter performance against the Boston Celtics? Definitely. Despite the missed shots, the offense has not been at its best since losing Allen. Also, defensively, the Cavs are allowing a 33.0 opponent free-throw rate, which is as bad as any, along with a 55.7% eFG%.

Cleveland’s most-used non-Allen quartet has shared 40 possessions with Mobley under center: Harden, Mitchell, Sam Merrill and Dean Wade. This has easily been the most effective; Plus, this is the lineup that beat a shorthanded, undersized Philadelphia 76ers group a day after the C’s took it to the cleaners.

It is not an easy assessment due to the polar ends of the competition on back-to-back days. This does not mean that no lessons have been learned from these last two matches.

Cavs’ James Harden, Evan Mobley want to create advantages for each other

Harden already has priorities in mind to strengthen their on-court bond.

“I’m trying to figure out, ‘How can I be aggressive and make the team better?’ Because that’s a plus, but also putting him in a better position,” Harden said. “Depending on who is guarding us, like if it’s his big safety and they’re in like a drop coverage, try to get down and hit him in the pocket.

“Or if they’re switching and they have two guys of similar size, or I think they have a mismatch, he’s got to get the ball into a better position closer to the rim where he can make a move or two and he’s at the rim. It’s literally going to be possession by possession. The more opportunities we can get on the court, the better we’ll be.”

Conversely, Mobley also believes it is on him to put Harden in spots where he can succeed.

“That pick-and-roll, just hitting my screen hard,” Mobley said. “They’re going to put the best guard on him, [so] Making sure we keep him away from James, get him into space, and maybe get the switch. And then roll hard, make yourself a threat so it will be easier for him to land.”

While taking nothing away from his versatility, Mobley is not in the same company as Allen when it comes to screening defenders. He is more successful as a ghoster or brusher than attacking an opponent and stopping him in his tracks. He’s also more of a baseline lob threat than he is over the top on a straight line.

Cleveland should utilize Mobley’s strength off the dribble handoffs with Harden, as it does with Merrill on the break. This could generate some momentum to turn the corner on either side of the half court, allowing the veteran star to go down with less need to break down his opponent. As Harden mentioned, this could potentially create a mismatched relationship for both of them to exploit.

Lately, Harden has also had a penchant for playing out of the post with his back to the basket; Maybe Mobley could do some cutting like movement wing when he’s drawing defenders on the block? The seven-footer may elect to spot up for a triple, then attack off the dribble after a pump fake.

Or maybe they continued linking up on the 70-foot alley-oop, because that last one seemed too easy.

Whatever route the Cavs choose to go, these are invaluable reps for Harden and Mobley as the season begins to wind down.

Kenny Atkinson praised James Harden’s career milestone of scoring 29,000 points following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

Harden has been in the NBA since 2009, making him one of the league’s greatest scorers of all time. Heading into Cleveland’s clash with Philadelphia, he had scored 28,996 regular season points in his entire career. He needed # of points to reach the milestone of 29,000 points, to get closer to the great achievement of 30,000 points.

Harden accomplished the feat with a stellar performance during his 29 minutes of action. He finished with a stat line of 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and one block. He made 6 of 11 shots from the field, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line.

Atkinson reacted to Harden’s milestone via reporter Paris McGee Jr. after the game. The head coach hailed the moment as a testament to the veteran star’s longevity as an elite scorer in the league.

“It’s a testament to his resiliency. It’s very hard to do that consistently for so long in this league. This version of James we’re seeing, you don’t just think about scoring, I think about this complete player… When they announced it today, I was in shock, 29,000. Wow. Incredible,” Atkinson said.

Kenny Atkinson called James Harden’s milestone of 29,000 career points a testament to his longevity and elite level of flexibility.

Video: Paris McGee Jr., cleveland.com pic.twitter.com/KNkEFrC6TV

– cleveland.com Cavs (@PDcavsinsider) 10 March 2026

James Harden, how the Cavaliers played against the 76ers

It’s clear that Kenny Atkinson is proud to see James Harden make history as one of the best veteran scorers in the league. He is now eager to see Harden aim for the 30,000-point milestone.

Six players scored in double figures for Cleveland in the win over Philadelphia, including Harden. Keon Ellis proved to be a big spark off the bench with 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting overall, including 4 of 7 from downtown. Donovan Mitchell came next with 17 points and six assists, Evan Mobley had 15 points and eight rebounds, Dean Wade put up 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaylon Tyson provided 11 points.

Cleveland improved to a 40–25 record on the season and finished fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, while trailing the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.

The Cavaliers look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will take on the Magic as tip-off takes place on March 11 at 7:30 pm ET.

On Sunday afternoon, the Boston Celtics continued their winning ways with a relatively comfortable road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the second game back from an Achilles injury for star Jayson Tatum, who scored 20 points in a defensive clinic for Boston.

Before tipoff, Cavs star James Harden hugged Tatum as he took the stage, and ESPN cameras caught Harden’s kind message to the Celtics star.

“Proud of you, brother. Congratulations,” said Harden, formerly of Ax, on Twitter, according to SportsCenter.

“Proud of you brother. Congratulations.” ❤️

James Harden makes a great gesture towards Jayson Tatum before the game as he completes his return from his Achilles injury 🙌 pic.twitter.com/f8nj1VUNed

– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) 8 March 2026

Tatum completed one of the quickest recoveries from an Achilles injury the NBA has ever seen, suffered during Boston’s playoff loss to the New York Knicks last May.

In his absence this season, the Celtics have been one of the most surprising stories in the NBA, currently sitting in the number two spot in the Eastern Conference, with Jaylen Brown receiving some minor consideration for the league MVP award for his play so far this year.

However, any legitimate chance the Celtics have to compete for a second championship in the modern era depends on the health of Tatum, who has looked solid so far in his two games since returning from injury. Although efficiency and explosiveness will need some time to return, Tatum’s shooting form certainly looks smoother than before the setback, and he has shown little hesitation in putting the ball on the floor and looking for his shot.

He also looks to be able to move his feet relatively well on the defensive end of the floor, even though it may take him some time to fully regain his athletic ability and burst.

In any case, the Celtics will next take the field on Tuesday evening for a tough road game against the San Antonio Spurs.

After the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference clash, Jayson Tatum got props from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden for recovering from his concussions, returning to the field and immediately making a big impact on the game.

“He looks good,” Mitchell said in his postgame interview following the Cavs’ 109–98 loss to the Celtics. “I think naturally there’s some hesitation. I mean, it’s been 300 days. But you can see how he started the game. Even the slow start against Dallas, it just takes a few moves — it could be an Achilles, a groin injury — you just need a few moves to be like, ‘Okay,’ and then you get back at it.”

“But he looks really good for someone [that missed] 10 months. It’s impressive.”

Tatum finished the game with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists to only one turnover in 27 minutes. He started the game by getting to his spot on the drive and finding his way to the free-throw line and, despite a slight cold, finished the day strong in the fourth quarter.

“Getting to your spots, making shots,” said Harden, who acknowledged Tatum before the matchup. “Obviously, it’s important for them to keep them in the mix, but they just do an incredible job of creating advantages; a well-coached team, and they played well today.

“I just told him, you look at a young guy, especially of that caliber, who has had a lot of success and won championships, and then, boom, adversity comes along. That mentality of not letting anything slow him down and stop him, and then he comes back, first game back, he plays well; tonight, he plays well. I think that’s a motivation in itself.”

Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson treated this meeting with the Celtics as if Tatum was fully healthy, admitting that it would be difficult to evaluate where he is now versus where he could be in a month or two in the postseason.

With this result, Boston increased its record to 43–21, and moved closer to the East’s top seed, the suddenly slipping Detroit Pistons. The Celtics added to their lead over Cleveland, now leading by four in the standings.

With Tatum back in the mix, and plenty of firepower around him and Jaylen Brown, there’s no telling how far they can take this. The Cavs will definitely be preparing for this.

“He changes the game,” Evan Mobley said. “He’s a great player. Instead of just focusing more on Brown, you have to focus on both now. It’s definitely a different dynamic, and we’ll be ready for it.”

Harden even said that Cleveland could look to Boston as a prime example of who it should aspire to be in the postseason.

“I told everybody, that’s the standard,” Harden said. “That’s standard. Part of the game of basketball is missing and making shots, but, like, our competitive nature to a game, our competitive spirit — whether we’re making shots or not — that’s what we do. And we forced the game to take over. And I think in the second half, we found something in ourselves.

“Being in my 10th or 11th game here, this is the level we’ve got to get to, Boston. And once we get there – because I know we’re good enough, we’ll get there – then we’ll be a better team. If we’re making shots, we’re going to shut teams out. Tonight we didn’t make shots, and we still gave ourselves chances. So it’s that simple.”

All-NBA conversations typically belong to well-established suspects, brand-name stars who have captured the discussion for the better part of two decades, even if those All-Stars are having a bad year. LeBron James and James Harden still remain at that level of talent. However, James Borrego’s new-look New Orleans Pelicans need to make a run for Trey Murphy III to join the club. The 25-year-old has been quietly building a statistical argument that rivals and surpasses the usual suspects in many areas.

This is not an exaggeration. This year’s figures show that it is time to make room for the Trigga tray. Designated stars with all-world resumes can act as one-man shows, shooting lights out and protecting the ball. Murphy III’s production, 22.6% of his field goals are unassisted, is going well. The swingman is shooting 38.6% from three-point range, sporting a 59.8 true shooting percentage, and can boast a 2.53 assist-to-turnover ratio on a 25.4% usage rate since New Year’s Day.

On the season, Murphy III is contributing 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals. In 2026, he is averaging 24.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals. Only 12 other players can say they are 22-5-4 over the last eight weeks. Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant and Cade Cunningham top that list. Exactly 22 players have averaged 21 points and 3.5 assists, making teammates better, and have played more than 45 games this season, further breaking down the All-NBA list.

The Pelicans have nothing to lose by gushing about Trey Murphy III’s speed during March Madness. If Trigga Trey is named to the All-NBA Third Team, his next contract and the city’s reputation will get a significant boost. If not, the Pelicans have four potential All-Stars returning next season with something to prove in Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and surprisingly great Saddiq Bey.

More than a few coaches will be calling the front office wanting to work with that core. Each of them will have to explain how they will maximize Trey Murphy III’s prime years. His All-Star potential eventually developed into All-NBA expectations.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and James Harden were nearly dealt a season-deciding injury blow on Wednesday. An X-ray of the star point guard’s right thumb revealed he suffered a non-displaced fracture against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. While the injury usually requires surgery, Harden never considered it an option.

“It’s too much time,” the Cavaliers star said after Sunday’s 106-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets. “Thought about playing the last game, thought about playing in Milwaukee. There’s going to be some discomfort, so just figuring out ways to fight. There’s no other option.”

James Harden asked if he’s considering surgery on his broken thumb:

“No. It’s too much time… there’s going to be some discomfort, so just figuring out ways to fight it… I have no other choice.” pic.twitter.com/PG2qe37o07

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 2 March 2026

Harden’s injury could have been a devastating blow to Cleveland’s title hopes. After a disappointing start to the season, the Cavaliers traded an injured Darius Garland for the 36-year-old Harden at the trade deadline. The availability of the latter was a driving force in its acquisition.

However, after injuring his thumb, it was unclear whether Harden would be able to play during the stretch run to end the regular season. With Donovan Mitchell also out with a groin injury, Harden missed the first two games of Cleveland’s road trip, suffering tough losses to the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons.

The Cavaliers arrived in New York on Saturday and Harden went to the NBA Players Association gym to get his thumb tested.

“See if I can dribble,” he said of the goal of the workout. “If I can dribble, I can play. I still couldn’t dribble the way I wanted to, but it was good enough.”

Initially listed as questionable, Harden took the field against the Nets on Sunday.

James Harden playing for Cavaliers despite broken thumb

To the relief of Cavs fans, he broke through in the game and played well enough to earn the win. Harden logged 36 minutes, posting 29 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the field, 4 of 7 from three and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line, along with nine rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers.

“Too many turnovers,” he said of his performance. “Not being able to handle the ball properly. After this game, hopefully I’ll take a few days to rest and let it heal and then go from there.”

While Harden finished with a near triple-double, Kenny Atkinson noticed that he was not his usual self.

“You could see in the first half that he wasn’t 100%, obviously,” Atkinson said. “Just tipping the ball. Some of those turnovers weren’t his. Then I noticed he was tipping the ball a few times while bringing it up. Which he never does. Just probably needed to give it a break. It’s tough, especially for a guy who handles it as much as he does.

“I thought in the second half, we had that stretch where we were struggling and he kind of took over. Got to the free-throw line and then hit a couple threes. He’s a gamer. Kind of made it tough… We needed him. He played handicapped. But he still played well.”

The Cavaliers are currently the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference standings, two games ahead of the Toronto Raptors and 1.5 games behind the New York Knicks. Their next two games include two of their toughest tests since acquiring Harden.

Cleveland returns home for a rematch with the Pistons on Tuesday. They will then have four days off to rest Harden before back-to-back home contests against the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.

Harden’s thumb will continue to be one of the top stories surrounding the Cavaliers in the coming weeks. However, the 11-time All-Star is adamant that he will do whatever it takes to remain on the court during his 36-year-old season.

“I love playing basketball even with no money,” Harden said. “Basketball is a thing that we do, and it’s a safe place. As you get better and start studying the game and start learning more and get comfortable, it’s the same with anything, you just get used to it. I’ve been fortunate to play in this league for as long as I have, and I’m still doing it at a high level. Even now, as I’ve gotten older. When I was younger, I’ve always been It felt like that, but I still realize I have a few more years left to play basketball, so I definitely cherish them and have no regrets about playing.

When it comes to professional sports, no one is immune to the influence of Father Time. Every human being slows down eventually, even those who appear to be immortal (like the great LeBron James). And Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden, who is currently dealing with a thumb injury that caused him to miss 22 points in Sunday’s 106-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets, knows that the sports grim reaper is coming for him someday.

However, Harden is still playing at a high level; He may be 36, but retirement isn’t exactly imminent for a man who averaged nearly 25 points per game this season and more than eight assists per contest. However, the Cavs star loves basketball so much that he wants to keep playing it as long as he canEspecially when he still has an elusive championship ring to compete for and, hopefully, win.

“I know [retirement is] coming soon. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, but it is a reality. Everyone has to go through this sometimes. I’m just trying to keep my body fit and play well. We’ll see what happens over the next few years. Take one game at a time and cherish the moments,” Harden said, via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

James Harden on how long he wants to play: “I know it’s going to be sooner rather than later. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, but it’s a reality. Everybody has to go through this sometimes. Just trying to keep my body in shape and play well. We’ll see what happens over the next few… pic.twitter.com/BPvW7Fwtfj

– Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) 2 March 2026

James Harden and the Cavs’ last stand at the title?

The Cavs know their title-rival’s time is short, so rather than risk Darius Garland’s health, they went out and acquired Harden, who is more than 10 years Garland’s senior.

Harden has dealt with his injury troubles in recent years, battling hamstring issues, but he has been quite durable and has been very reliable, especially during the regular season. The playoffs, of course, are where Harden will be tested, and whether or not he can be a part of this team that is finally looking to bounce back from the loss.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Brooklyn Nets, and there is a possibility that they may get one of their key players back. James Harden has missed the last few games after being diagnosed with a fractured right thumb, but he is expected to return game-to-game. It doesn’t appear that Harden will have surgery, and it may be a matter of enduring the pain if he returns to the court.

Luckily for the Cavs, they’ll be playing the Nets, a team that hasn’t had much success this season. This could be a game in which they let Harden sit out so he can continue to recover.

Anyway, here’s Harden’s position for the game.

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Injury status of James Harden vs. Nets

Harden is listed as questionable against the Nets, which means he is likely to play.

The latest update on Harden wasn’t the best when thinking about a return soon, as head coach Kenny Atkinson shared that the guard was having difficulty dribbling.

“I know he was struggling a little bit with his dribbling this morning,” Atkinson said. “If you have difficulty dribbling and catching [it’s tough to play]. Jarrett Allen went through this early in the season. We tried to bring him back. He wanted to hurry, and then we had to go back and give him some time.

“I know James is different… We have to get feedback from James… There is no one stronger in the league. There is no one else available. No one wants to play more.”

If Harden is struggling trying to dribble, there is no way he can play. At this point, listing him as questionable is probably just putting opposing teams on edge so they don’t know whether they should prepare for him or not.

KNThe Cleveland Cavaliers will need less time for their showdown against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Friday as star guard James Harden has been sidelined with a thumb injury, according to the team. Harden was the Cavs’ major trade deadline acquisition in hopes of making a jump in the East standings and making a push into the postseason.

James Harden initially suffered the injury during the Cavs’ win against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, and has been sidelined since. Shortly after the Cavs traded for the former All-Star guard, the team won five consecutive games before losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder last weekend.

The Cavs lost 118-116 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday with Harden out due to injury. Overall, the Cavs have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, and are currently in fourth place in the East standings. They are 37-23, and only a half-game behind the No. 3 Knicks.

Since the deal, Harden has appeared in seven games at a rate of just over 32 minutes per game. He averaged 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists with splits of 49.4 percent shooting from the field, 48.8 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 86.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line. It’s a small sample size, but if those field goal and 3-point shooting percentages hold up, they’ll be career highs for the 17-year veteran.

Before the trade, Harden had spent the previous three and a half seasons playing for his hometown LA Clippers. He was acquired by the Clippers in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers at the beginning of the 2023–24 season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the second night of a home-road match on Wednesday. James Harden is listed as questionable due to a broken thumb, while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley will be out of action. Meanwhile, the Bucks will not have Giannis Antetokounmpo available for the matchup.

Here’s everything we know about James Harden and Donovan Mitchell’s playing status against the Hornets, in addition to their teammates.

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Injury status of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell for Cavs vs. Bucks

When it comes to the question of whether James Harden and Donovan Mitchell are playing in tonight’s Cavs vs. Bucks matchup, the answer is probably for Beard and not Spida.

Cleveland announced this afternoon that Harden suffered a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx of his right hand against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. Luckily for both him and the team, it’s the thumb of his non-shooting-hand. It appears he plans to play despite the injury, which could keep him out in Milwaukee, depending on whether the Cavs want him to play through it soon.

Mitchell is listed out with a right groin strain, while Mobley is also sidelined with a strain on his left calf. With the Detroit Pistons next on the road on Friday, and the Cavs coming off a five-game-in-seven-night finish, it’s not surprising both are sitting out this one.

Max Strus has yet to make his season debut after recovering from left foot surgery, but Kenny Atkinson provided an encouraging update on his condition moving forward.

The Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the 13th consecutive game due to a calf injury.

Cavs injury report

James Harden: Questionable (fracture in right thumb)

Donovan Mitchell: Out (right waist stretch)

Evan Mobley: Out (Left calf injury maintenance)

Max Strus: Out (left leg surgery)

Tristan Enaruna: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Darius Brown II: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Riley Minix: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

bucks injury report

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Out (right calf strain)

Alex Antetokounmpo: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Taurean Prince: Out (neck surgery)

The Cleveland Cavaliers got a big win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, 109-94. Unfortunately, it appears that James Harden was a casualty in that win, as he has been confirmed injured.

Harden, who is 36, is said to be suffering from a thumb fracture. The organization announced his injury. He is considered questionable for Wednesday’s contest against the Milwaukee Bucks, and an update on his status will be provided before the start of that game.

“Cavaliers guard James Harden injured his right thumb in last night’s 109-94 win over New York,” the franchise said. “A post-game examination by the Cavaliers’ medical staff, followed by X-rays taken today, confirmed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. Harden will be treated and continued to be evaluated and will be listed as questionable for tonight’s game against Milwaukee. An update on his status will be provided as appropriate.”

Despite the injury, the 11-time All-Star still played 32 minutes in the Cavaliers’ win over the Knicks. He finished the contest with 20 points, two rebounds and four assists while shooting 44.4% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the three-point line. Despite suffering a thumb injury, he was one of the main contributors in the competition.

Although he is dealing with a fracture, it is a good sign that Harden is still considered questionable to play in Wednesday’s game against the Bucks. His situation suggests that, even if he misses time, it could be a short stint. Either way, the Cavaliers will monitor the injury closely. Especially considering that James Harden was brought in to help make the club more competitive in the playoffs.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a stir during trade season when they traded Darius Garland, an original member of the team’s core four, to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden. Harden is playing much more spectacularly than Garland this season, and he’s healthy, too. But an underappreciated part of bringing Harden in as a more consistent member of the starting lineup was unlocking the best from Jarrett Allen.

For almost his entire career, Harden has made life much better for his pick-and-roll partners. Clint Capela played his best basketball with Harden. Ivica Zubac did the same. And now, Allen is following suit. Since the Cavs brought The Beard in, Allen has averaged an impressive 20.4 points and 11.3 rebounds on 76.7 percent shooting from the field – numbers, suffice it to say, are absolutely insane.

The Cavs have been playing exceptional basketball lately, and Allen’s improved play as a result of Harden’s arrival is a big reason why. Cleveland sped up its competitive deadline by bringing in Harden, but this move seems smart given the early returns.

Allen had another double-double, 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Cavs’ 109-94 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

James Harden makes life easy for the Cavs

If there’s one thing Harden has going for him, it’s that his track record of excellence in the regular season is nearly unmatched. He is a regular season winning machine, and the Cavs have been humming since they brought him in via trade.

Harden reduced the burden on offense on Donovan Mitchell. He should make life easier for Alan and Evan Mobley in terms of getting good looks. And he reduced the need for Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson to rely on more inconsistent players to try to partner with Mitchell in the backcourt.

Once Evan Mobley put together an All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the standard was set. Teammates, coaches, fans and the media were talking about the seven-foot-tall player all summer long and tossing his name into MVP conversations without hesitation. So, in turn, any lack of meeting those expectations is considered a failure by some, and perhaps, based on how steadfast the praise was at last year’s All-Star Game and Mobley’s own words, that’s justified.

Now that Darius Garland is in Los Angeles, it appears the microscope has zoomed in a lot on the 24-year-old forward. People crank that dial when the Cavs lose, and especially on national television.

Although he had a catch-and-drive dunk and a jump hook, Mobley missed a few threes in the final 3:20 of the game when his team was still within striking distance. And despite holding Chet Holmgren to an average scoring game, OKC’s power forward grabbed 15 rebounds compared to Cleveland’s two. They weren’t face-to-face every minute of the game, but that’s a worrying discrepancy.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had all 13 offensive rebounds from Sunday.

Where do you think the fault lies? pic.twitter.com/eXb19FU7GD

-RealCavsFans.com (@realcavsfans) 23 February 2026

Mobley deserves criticism for that part of the contest. Even if he’s out of position on most Cavs possessions due to the switch-heavy scheme defensively, recording two total rebounds at that size is absolutely unacceptable. Track the ball and catch it. When you have it in your hand, be strong with it, hold it high, and don’t let the opponent take it away from you.

Should he really be to blame for most of the Thunder’s extra chances? No, there were three examples, maybe fourWhere Mobley could have done a better job on the defensive glass was unrelated to the back-iron misses that found OKC’s perimeter players away from the paint.

• At 7:26 of the second quarter, he hung up on Jaylin Williams to make sure he didn’t miss a three; However, when Jared McCann’s floater went haywire, he waited too long to mingle with his teammates, who should have done so themselves due to the 3-on-2 advantage.
• Similarly, at 9:19 of the fourth, Mobley did not want to let a red-hot Cason Wallace get a free look in the left corner, so he tried to set up a contest time on Holmgren through the middle while driving; This forced a miss that rolled off the rim, but neither he nor Donovan Mitchell came up with it.
• Although with a strong position, Mobley was outclassed by Hartenstein at the 2:30 mark of the final frame, allowing Lou Dort to push him back to the top of the floor.

Evan Mobley’s frequently changing Cavs responsibilities

Let’s step away from the rebounding thing for just a minute and turn to Mobley’s extensive offensive game. The Cavs put the ball in his hands early in a point-forward type role in the first few weeks of the year. It was experimental because that’s what you do in the regular season. He was bringing it up and getting started, and when he didn’t have it, he was pulling up the floor. It was more dribble drives, separation, self-composition and kicking out than off-ball work.

Then, as the campaign progressed, Cleveland wanted to put Mobley in a better position to succeed with less management, as in 2024–25. That meant using him as a mid-floor hub, putting him in screens-and-slips, and getting him close to the bucket. Mobley burst onto the scene in early December and recorded four consecutive double-double performances before going down with a left calf injury. He was sidelined for five short games, then returned at Christmas.

After finding his footing again, Mobley enjoyed a solid month of January, including his best game of the season. He scored 29 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks in 35 minutes against the Sacramento Kings. He did not turn it over even once and walked out of the field after scoring 13 runs out of 24. Unfortunately, after another solid performance in Game 2 of the home-and-home series with the Orlando Magic, Mobley experienced more pain in the same calf. He missed the entire season through January 28 during the NBA All-Star break.

Returning to a very different team, James Harden is now their point guard, which changes the calculus for what Mobley needs to do. At best, on this team, he is the third scoring option. It was different a few months ago, so there needs to be an adjustment on his (and Harden’s) part.

Jarrett Allen is already the quintessential pick-and-roll partner for Harden, so where does that leave Mobley? Well, for one, Cleveland needs to get him into the dunker spot right this very moment. He should have plenty of opportunities to capitalize on the seriousness he possesses as both a ball-handler and roller. In particular, alley-oops from Harden or Allen should be common.

Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson noted that Mobley’s popping could also be used as a weapon. They sure as heck aren’t shooting the three well right now, which may be due to a lack of lift from the shin, but he’s still a confidently capable mid-range shooter. If opportunities arise, he will have to take them. Atkinson also sees opportunities to quickly find mismatches at small forwards and guards in double-big lineups. When that happens, Harden can be counted on to feed him.

We’ll also see Mobley without Harden and Allen on the floor with Mitchell. The staggering choice allows for optionality in terms of style of play. Both of them had a lot of success last year and a good chemistry has been established between them, which will give both of them a chance to be as successful as ever. Adding Schroder to that mix also helps as his downhill nature forces defenses to stop the ball.

painting the whole picture

Many people are casually leaving out Mobley’s defensive skills when evaluating his game. Being a top-tier tackler who shuts down driving lanes, runs to the corners to compete, and replaces all shots in a single possession doesn’t make a highlight reel unless you’re a coach. It’s a tough business to be in, as in that department, Mobley is one of them. Find another player his size who covers as much ground, switches seamlessly, and recovers just like him.

Sadly, making lots of money also comes with noise. Mobley has had a poor offensive season, and it shows in his season-long production numbers. Does this mean that he has performed well as a basketball player? no way. He will turn 25 in mid-June. Given Cleveland’s push and pull with his offensive responsibilities, a troublesome calf that kept him out twice, and readjusting to life with a new floor general, it’s understandable that Mobley doesn’t have everything figured out at this point.

However, the Cavs have exaggerated the timeline. He was originally crowned after an undefeated extension of the trade-deadline. Garland, his old core four two-man-game partner, has moved to the West Coast. The Giants are in the building now, hardening the locker room significantly so the team can really prepare for the playoffs.

Expectations are sky-high for this fresh-wine-and-gold group, so anything less than greatness will receive a scathing response, whether that’s warranted long-term or a momentary reaction in the heat of battle. That means Mobley will have to quickly adapt to what is being asked of him and take on a role that has once again changed.

Whether that’s fair or not, that’s just the reality of the situation.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Without three of their top four scorers, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and the Cleveland Cavs – 121-113 – at Paycom Center on Sunday. The defending champions took a 28-5 lead in the opening frame. Without the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the starters took advantage of defensive stops and elite shooting as Oklahoma City drained eight of its 21 threes in the first quarter.

In regards to who would guard Mitchell and Harden, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault revealed that the defensive assignment of Lou Dort over Mitchell won a 6–5 vote among his coaching staff. Cason Wallace spent most of the game facing Harden. Mitchell scored 20 points, but it took him nearly 20 attempts (9 of 19) to get there, as he was 0 of 6 from deep.

Harden scored 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, nine assists and five rebounds. Wallace finished with 20 points with a career-high 10 assists and recorded his first double-double and three steals. Isaiah Joe’s 22 points led seven Thunder players into double figures, including Dort (12 points, two steals) and Oklahoma City’s entire starting lineup.

The defending champions’ strong defense forced 17 Cavs turnovers, which the Thunder converted into 31 points en route to an eight-point victory.

Cason Wallace shows off his signature performance in Thunder’s win

Thunder guard Cason Wallace understands the assignment ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Cavs. Before facing one of the league’s highest scoring backcourts in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. And while the Thunder’s newest guards in Jared McCann and Nicola Topic have gotten acclimated to their new surroundings, Wallace has helped fill the void left after losing All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso.

After the game, Wallace spoke to the media On his outlook ahead of the Thunder’s matinee matchup against the Cavs.

“I come into the game knowing that I have a high-level opponent that I have to guard against, you know, compete for minutes with him,” Wallace said. “First I had to slow him down. Then, offensively, we’ve got a lot of guys that are good at making plays. So, I can make some plays myself on offense, but those guys help me a lot on that end.”

Cason Wallace on the Thunder’s offense and OKC’s defense against the Cavs’ Mitchell and Harden: “Felt like we came in warmed up, had a little bit of momentum at the beginning of the game… I’ve got to slow it down first.

Then, offensively, we’ve got a lot of guys who are good at making plays.” pic.twitter.com/U65bg0x2bR

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 22 February 2026

The Thunder will travel to face the Raptors on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Clippers may look like a completely different team than they did before the trade deadline, but Brian Shaw believes that’s a good thing.

Shaw is best known for his long playing career, which included winning three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The 59-year-old player has enjoyed a successful coaching career since retiring and has served as a Lakers assistant on two separate occasions. He has been an assistant for the Clippers since 2021.

The Clippers have clearly had difficulty enjoying postseason success in recent years despite being loaded with star power. In earlier years, they had the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George duo and more recently they had James Harden and Russell Westbrook. However, they have not been able to progress beyond the first round since Shaw’s arrival.

Los Angeles made a big move at the trade deadline, landing Harden, a 36-year-old star guard, for 26-year-old guard Darius Garland in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Clippers entered the season with the oldest roster in the NBA at 30.7 years. Although they are much younger now, Shaw believes this will benefit the team as they look to advance to the postseason.

Los Angeles currently sits in 10th place in the Western Conference and are playing for a play-in spot. Shaw talked about what Garland brings to the table.

“Darius can guess who you know. I coached Darius at the Nike Hoop Academy when he was in high school and just his agility, his basketball IQ, he’s a great passer, and he can score. There are players on our team that will benefit from him, being able to set the table for them, but also add to the youth and the agility that we have overall.

Shaw continued, “We started this season as the oldest team in NBA history.” “When you look at the fact that we started with Chris Paul and James Harden, we had a pretty old team. We were pretty slow, so now we feel like we can compete with these younger, faster, more athletic teams that are out there.”

Garland is one of the better, more established young guards in the league. The former fifth overall pick is a two-time All-Star selection and is averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists per game this season.

The 26-year-old player is still recovering from a right foot sprain injury and has not yet made his debut for the Clippers. That being said, Garland – along with Leonard – has a chance to lead the Clippers back to the playoffs. They have been a much stronger team recently, with Los Angeles going 20-6 since December 20.

加利福尼亞州英格爾伍德——週一晚上，詹姆斯·哈登和洛杉磯快船隊繼續強勢發揮，擊敗了夏洛特黃蜂隊，後者在之前的五場比賽中贏了三場，其中包括戰勝衛冕 NBA 冠軍俄克拉荷馬城雷霆隊。

哈登第一節拿下 11 分，距離超越沙奎爾·奧尼爾 (Shaquille O'Neal) 登上 NBA 歷史得分榜第九位僅差 4 分。哈登在第二節表現不佳，7投1中僅得到2分，但在第三節8投4中拿下11分，達到了里程碑。

憑藉這一桶，詹姆斯·哈登超越沙克，登上歷史得分榜第 9 位🙏pic.twitter.com/D4HZIQgQSi https://t.co/zai5Ndgv99

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 2026 年 1 月 13 日

全場比賽，哈登得到32分、4個籃板、10次助攻和4次搶斷，這是他NBA生涯第109次拿下30+10+助攻的比賽。這位快船球星賽后討論瞭如何超越沙克進入歷史得分榜。

“這絕對很特別，因為你是看著這些球員長大的，”哈登在快船隊以 117-109 獲勝後說道。 “有些是你小時候對手過的，有些是你小時候看過的，所以這絕對是特別的。沙克是我在洛杉磯家鄉的孩子時看過的人，看著他、科比和湖人隊在這里為這座城市做了一些特別的事情。他是有史以來最具統治力的中鋒，所以這絕對是一種榮譽，而且很特別。”

詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden) 超越沙克 (Shaq) 在 NBA 歷史得分榜上排名第九：

“這絕對是特別的，因為你是看著這些球員長大的。有些是你對陣過的，有些是你小時候看過的，所以這絕對是特別的。沙克是我看過的一個…… pic.twitter.com/P3rGYmUN7t

— 托默·阿扎利 (@TomerAzarly) 2026 年 1 月 13 日

詹姆斯·哈登在洛杉磯長大，在阿蒂西亞上高中，他在 2000 年代初看著科比·布萊恩特和沙奎爾·奧尼爾帶領的洛杉磯湖人隊三奪 NBA 總冠軍長大。這位快船隊後衛在 2009 年 NBA 選秀大會上以第三順位被俄克拉荷馬城雷霆隊選中，並在 17 年的 NBA 職業生涯中打了 1,187 場常規賽和 173 場季后賽。

36 歲的詹姆斯·哈登與勒布朗·詹姆斯（41 歲）、凱文·杜蘭特（37 歲）、斯蒂芬·庫裡（37 歲）和拉塞爾·威斯布魯克（37 歲）等人並列 NBA 第六年長的球員。

在快船隊戰胜黃蜂隊的比賽中，哈登也以30分10助攻的成績擴大了自己的領先優勢，這是他職業生涯第109場這樣的比賽。這在 NBA 歷史上排名第二，僅次於奧斯卡·羅伯特森，後者在職業生涯中投進了 227 次。

這個特定的統計數據對他來說有什麼意義嗎？

“是的！我竭盡全力，”哈登回答道。 “我覺得我工作很努力。你不明白工作有多辛苦，也不知道工作的壽命有多長。只有少數人理解這一點，知道這一點。他們中的幾個人仍在高水平打球，這是一件很美好的事情。對於年輕人來說，了解NBA和籃球，你真的必須珍惜它，因為它可以帶你去往我們從未夢想過的不同地方。它打開了大門，與我們從未想過的人建立了關係。我以為我們會珍惜它，擁抱它，愛它，因為一旦結束，就結束了。

“你正在看像勒布朗這樣的人 [James]史蒂芬布 [Curry], [Kevin Durant]，和拉塞爾 [Westbrook] 在我們這個年紀，仍然以最高水平做他們的事情。這是一件很美麗的事情。這證明了這些人以及我們長期以來所付出的努力。 ”

當我問詹姆斯·哈登關於他職業生涯第 109 場 30+ 分和 10+ 助攻的記錄時，他稱讚了勒布朗·詹姆斯、凱文·杜蘭特、斯蒂芬·庫里和拉塞爾·威斯布魯克：

“是啊！我拼命工作。我覺得我很努力。你不明白工作有多辛苦，然後…… pic.twitter.com/5Vni139peY

— 托默·阿扎利 (@TomerAzarly) 2026 年 1 月 13 日

詹姆斯·哈登（職業生涯得分 28,614 分）緊隨其後的是威爾特·張伯倫（職業生涯得分 31,419 分），排在第八位。在歷史得分榜上，唯一領先於這位快船球星的現役球員是凱文·杜蘭特（31,486）和勒布朗·詹姆斯（42,654）。