What Happened
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden sustained a nondisplaced fracture of the distal phalanx on his right thumb during a game against the New York Knicks on February 24. X-rays taken the following day confirmed the injury, which occurred in a match that the Cavaliers won. Despite the injury, Harden, who is a left-handed shooter, has been listed as questionable for the upcoming game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Why It Matters
Since joining the Cavaliers, Harden has significantly impacted the team’s performance, contributing to a 6-1 record. In the seven games since his acquisition, he has averaged 18.9 points and eight assists while shooting nearly 50% from the field. His presence has been crucial for the Cavaliers, who are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 37-22 record. The timing of his injury raises concerns about the team’s playoff positioning and overall performance.
What’s Next
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Harden plans to play through the injury without requiring surgery. He will manage the pain with treatment and may wear a wrap or splint. The Cavaliers are expected to monitor his minutes closely in the coming days. Additionally, the team will be without other key players, including Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, for the game against the Bucks, further complicating their strategy as they aim to maintain their playoff momentum.