The thumb injury that Cleveland Cavaliers star James Harden sustained in a win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night sounds like a bad one -- but it may only be a matter of pain management for the former MVP to continue playing.
During the Cavaliers' 109-94 win over the Knicks, Harden -- acquired earlier this month in a blockbuster trade from the Los Angeles Clippers -- suffered a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx in his right thumb.
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But according to athletic trainer and injury analyst Jeff Stotts on X, Harden in fact has the "best case scenario" for a quick return to the court.
"Players to suffer this injury and avoid surgery miss an average of 6.5 games (~17 days)," Stotts wrote.
James Harden Injury News: The thumb is made up of 2 phalanges. Harden’s break involves the distal phalanx (tip of the thumb) & is non-displaced. This is a best case scenario for a quick return. Players to suffer this injury & avoid surgery miss an average of 6.5 games (~17 days).
— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) February 25, 2026
It's great news for the Cavaliers if Harden is back on the floor in a couple weeks -- and in any case, it doesn't seem like he faces a lengthy absence.
In seven games with Cleveland, Harden is averaging 18.9 points and 8.0 assists per game. After a slow start, the Cavs (37-22) have won 22 of their past 30 games and are tied with the Knicks for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.
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