Overview
- Cleveland confirmed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx in Harden’s right thumb suffered in the Feb. 24 win over the Knicks, which is his non-shooting hand.
- He was initially listed questionable for Milwaukee before being downgraded to out, and he was later ruled out for Friday’s game in Detroit as well.
- Head coach Kenny Atkinson said Friday that Harden was still struggling to dribble and catch, prompting the team to hold him out while monitoring progress.
- Reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania indicates no surgery is required and Harden intends to play through the fracture with pain management and a wrap or splint.
- With no official timetable, Cleveland is managing his status day-to-day and reshuffling the backcourt as Donovan Mitchell and others also deal with injuries.