Overview
- Cleveland upgraded Harden from questionable to available following on-court testing at Barclays Center, with no surgery planned for the thumb injury.
- Harden returns after missing two games; in seven appearances with the Cavaliers he has averaged 18.9 points and 8.0 assists and the team is 6-1 when he plays.
- Donovan Mitchell was ruled out against Brooklyn with a right groin strain, extending his absence to a third straight game.
- Reserve wing Keon Ellis was also cleared to play despite a fractured left index finger, while other injured Cavs remained sidelined.
- Brooklyn entered the matchup on a seven-game losing streak that has featured severe defensive lapses, including allowing 66.7% shooting in a blowout loss to Boston.