The Cleveland Cavaliers welcomed back James Harden on Sunday night as he scored 22 points to end the team’s two-game losing streak with a 106–102 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Beyond his performance on the court, Harden shared candid thoughts about his approaching retirement, acknowledging that stepping away from basketball is becoming an unavoidable reality.
“I know it’s coming soon,” Harden told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
“Hopefully, later than soon, but it’s a reality. Everybody has to go through this at some point.”
Just trying to continue to keep my body in shape and play well. We’ll see what happens in the next few years.
Playing Despite Thumb Injury Demonstrates Harden’s Commitment
Harden’s reappearance followed a recent injury in which he suffered a non-displaced fracture to the tip of his thumb during Cleveland’s game against New York earlier in the week. Opting against surgery, the 36-year-old veteran chose to compete through the discomfort. Despite the injury, Harden was efficient, shooting 5-of-9 from the field, connecting on 4-of-7 three-pointers, and making 8-of-12 free throws, while contributing nine rebounds and eight assists over 37 minutes.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson noted Harden’s resilience, saying,
You could see in the first half he’s not 100 percent, obviously,
and added,
I thought in the second half, though, he had that stretch where we were struggling and he kind of took over.
Harden’s Second Half Spark Completes Cavaliers’ Comeback
With the Nets leading 52–46 at halftime, Harden had scored just eight points early, but he substantially lifted Cleveland’s offense after the break. He put up 14 points in the second half, including a pivotal four-point play late in the third quarter that shifted momentum firmly in the Cavaliers’ favor. During Harden’s 19 minutes on the floor post-intermission, Cleveland outscored Brooklyn by six points, erasing the deficit and adding a solid lead.
The Cavaliers extended their advantage to eight points with slightly over three minutes left in the game before Brooklyn mounted a rally. The Nets closed within one point in the final moments, but Cleveland secured the win at the free-throw line, with Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Evan Mobley playing key roles down the stretch.
Impact of Harden’s Presence on Cavaliers’ Recent Success
The victory pushed Cleveland’s record to 38–24 overall and 7–1 when Harden is active, following his acquisition from the Los Angeles Clippers just before the trade deadline. In eight games with the Cavaliers, Harden has averaged 19.3 points, eight assists, and 5.1 rebounds, firmly establishing himself as the primary playmaker for the team.
Atkinson emphasized Harden’s importance despite his injury, stating,
Obviously playing handicapped, he still played really well.
Supporting Harden, Jarrett Allen led Cleveland with 20 points, and Evan Mobley contributed a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The win also extended the Cavaliers’ dominance over Brooklyn, improving their record to 12–1 in the last 13 meetings against the Nets.
Retirement Thoughts Highlight Challenges Ahead for Cavaliers’ Star
Harden’s remarks about nearing retirement offer a sobering perspective as the Cavaliers rely heavily on their future Hall of Famer, who continues to influence games even while managing injuries. The team’s depth has been tested recently, with Donovan Mitchell sidelined due to a groin injury for the third consecutive game and forward Dean Wade out with an ankle sprain.
Despite these challenges, Harden remains grounded, focusing on the present and the team’s current goals while accepting the passage of time.
Take one game at a time,
Harden said. Cherish the moments.
Sunday night’s victory represented more than just a win; it marked the return of Cleveland’s leader on the court and offered fans a rare and honest insight into how much longer one of the NBA’s defining players plans to continue competing.
James Harden on how much longer he wants to play: “I know it’s coming soon. Hopefully, later than soon, but it’s a reality. Everybody has to go through this at some point. Just trying to continue to keep my body in shape and play well. We’ll see what happens in the next few… pic.twitter.com/BPvW7Fwtfj
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 2, 2026
