The Cleveland Cavaliers will have James Harden available for their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday despite his recent right thumb fracture. Harden, who has been listed as questionable leading up to the matchup, was initially expected to potentially miss time after the injury diagnosis, but it was confirmed he will not require surgery and plans to play through the pain.
Harden has not taken the court since the injury was announced earlier this week, but the Cleveland team remains hopeful his return will provide a much-needed boost as they aim to overcome a two-game losing streak. The ongoing James Harden injury update reveals that the star guard’s status has improved, giving Cavaliers fans some relief ahead of the crucial contest.
Recent Absences and Team Performance Without Harden
Before being cleared to play on Sunday, Harden missed Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, marking his first absence since joining Cleveland via trade. Without him and fellow star Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers narrowly lost to the undermanned Bucks, 118-116. The team’s struggles continued during their subsequent road trip when they fell 122-119 in overtime to the Detroit Pistons, despite putting up a strong fight.
Donovan Mitchell has been officially ruled out of Sunday’s game, increasing the pressure on Harden to lead the offense. Harden’s return offers an essential boost to Cleveland’s lineup, which will need his scoring and playmaking to regain momentum in the tightly contested Eastern Conference.
Transition to Cleveland and Initial Impact
James Harden’s move to the Cleveland Cavaliers stirred significant attention after the Los Angeles Clippers unexpectedly traded the 11-time All-Star earlier this season. The Clippers had initially insisted Harden was not available for trade, but the dynamic shifted in February, leading to a swap involving Harden and Darius Garland. Garland joined the Clippers, who remain centered around Kawhi Leonard, while Harden linked up with the Mitchell-led Cavaliers.
Through his first seven games with Cleveland, Harden has made an immediate impact, shooting 49% from the field and an impressive 48% from beyond the arc. He is averaging 18.9 points per game, along with 8.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and nearly one steal each contest. His performance has injected hope into the Cavaliers’ campaign as they push toward championship contention this season.
Upcoming Schedule and Team Outlook
The Cavaliers are set for a 3:30 PM ET tip-off against Brooklyn this Sunday, aiming to capitalize on Harden’s return as they seek to climb back in the standings. Following the road game against the Nets, Cleveland will return home on Tuesday, March 3 to face the Detroit Pistons in a rematch of last week’s overtime thriller.
With Harden back in the lineup but Mitchell sidelined, the Cavaliers will need to rely heavily on their star backcourt member’s experience and skill to contend against tough Eastern Conference competition. The status and health of these key players will heavily influence Cleveland’s trajectory for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season.
“Harden has been upgraded on the injury report… He is available to face one of his former teams.” – Michael Scotto, HoopsHype
Sources: James Harden will play today in his return to Barclays Center against the Brooklyn Nets. Harden recently suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb and missed the last two games. pic.twitter.com/TIYhLJx6L4
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 1, 2026
