Overview
- On Feb. 4, Cleveland sent Darius Garland and a second-round pick to the Clippers for James Harden, then opened 6–1 with him.
- With Harden on the floor, the Cavaliers’ offensive rating climbed to 128.1 as he averaged roughly 18.9 points and 8.0 assists in his first seven games.
- Head coach Kenny Atkinson likened Harden’s impact to “LeBron territory,” while Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley said his playmaking has made their looks easier.
- Harden sustained a nondisplaced fracture of his right thumb in the Feb. 24 win over the Knicks; he has been held out, listed day-to-day, with reports pointing to an early‑March return.
- League executives still highlight perimeter defense as a concern, citing high opponent three-point volume and efficiency despite the offensive gains.