James Harden Injury: “I Knew Right Away Something Wasn’t Right”
James Harden has suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb. No surgery is required, but his condition will be re-evaluated in the coming days
Tough news for the Cleveland Cavaliers: James Harden sustained a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb during Tuesday’s win over the New York Knicks. The injury was confirmed by imaging tests conducted on Wednesday.
I looked at his thumb and it looked like my finger when I broke it. I knew immediately something wasn’t right. I was waiting to see if he was going to play through the pain or if he’d say something. In this league it happens – guys fall, but you’ve got to keep going.
Jarrett Allen
The former LA Clippers star was initially listed as questionable, but just hours later the team ruled him out for the 118-116 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
No Surgery: Harden Intends to Play Through the Pain
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the former Rockets guard was evaluated by a hand specialist and will not require surgery. The decision, shared with the medical staff, is to proceed with conservative treatment and ongoing monitoring.
It’s still too early to define an exact timeline
Kenny Atkinson
The goal? Get back on the floor as soon as possible and, if conditions allow, play despite the fracture.
Acquired by the Cavaliers on February 3 in a trade with the Clippers, Harden immediately reshaped Cleveland’s offense. In his first seven games with the team, the 17-year veteran is averaging 18.9 points, 8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Those numbers are down from what he posted in California – 25.1 points and 8.1 assists across 44 games this season – but they’ve still been enough to provide leadership and late-game possession management.
With a 37-23 record, the Cavaliers sit fourth in the Eastern Conference and have won eight of their last ten games. The momentum is real, but Harden’s absence – or limited availability – could impact the team’s offensive balance.
The real question now is this: how effective can Harden be playing with a fracture in the thumb of his dominant hand? For a primary ball-handler who thrives on dribble creation, shot-making, and pace control, even a minor issue can become a decisive factor.
Cleveland remains competitive, but the margin for error is shrinking.