James Harden
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James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers is dealing with a thumb injury.
After missing two games due to a thumb injury, James Harden was back in the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ lineup on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets. Harden barely showed any signs of discomfort, helping the team snap a two-game losing streak.
The former NBA MVP finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on 5-for-9 shooting from the field as the Cavs earned a 106-102 win. He knocked down four 3-point shots and went 8-for-12 from the free-throw line.
Harden looked like his old self, hitting shots, making plays and getting to the foul line at will. However, he also committed five turnovers, which can be attributed to his ongoing injury.
Coach Kenny Atkinson Comments on Harden’s Injury
Speaking to reporters after the game, coach Kenny Atkinson noticed that Harden was uncomfortable at times. Atkinson was surprised by his veteran guard’s decision to let other players bring the ball up, but he understood that the injury is a bit bothersome at this point.
“Just fumbling the ball,” Atkinson said, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “Couple of those turnovers weren’t his. Then I noticed him kind of deferring a couple times when bringing the ball up. Which he never does. Just probably needed to give it a break. It’s a tough one, especially for a guy that handles it as much as he does. But we needed him. He played handicapped. But he still played well.”
Atkinson has plenty of options to relieve some pressure on Harden’s ball-handling duties, such as Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, Craig Porter Jr. and Jaylon Tyson. Donovan Mitchell can also shoulder a few playmaking possessions once he returns from his groin injury.
Harden Drops Injury News
According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, Harden postponed getting thumb surgery in his right hand to avoid missing more time. He’s willing to make the sacrifice to ensure that the Cavs have a chance at finishing in the top four of the East standings.
“That’s too much time out,” Harden said. “Thought about playing last game, thought about playing in Milwaukee. There’s going to be some discomfort, so just figuring out ways to fight through… Got no other choice. If I can dribble, I can play. I still couldn’t dribble how I wanted to, but it was good enough.”
Harden has been relatively healthy this season. The thumb injury happened in his non-shooting hand, so it was an easy decision for him to delay the surgery. The Cavs confirmed that he suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb.
What’s Next For The Cavs?
After their win against Brooklyn, the Cavs improved to 38-24. They are sitting fourth in the East standings behind the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors.
The Cavs are back home for Tuesday’s game against the Pistons. They then get a well-deserved and rare four-game rest before returning to complete the current three-game homestand by welcoming the Celtics on March 8 and the Philadelphia 76ers on March 10.
The four days off should allow Harden, as well as Donovan Mitchell, to continue their recovery from their respective injuries.