James Harden Fractured Right Thumb but Plans to Play Through Injury After X-Rays

James Harden sustained a nondisplaced fracture of his right thumb during Tuesday night's win over the New York Knicks, underwent X-rays on Wednesday that revealed the injury, and plans to play through the fracture while the Cavaliers pursue treatment and further evaluation.

James Harden injury details and immediate status

The team announced the fracture after Harden underwent X-rays on Wednesday. He was evaluated by a hand specialist and will not require surgery. The club said Harden will undergo treatment and further evaluation. Harden was initially listed as questionable for Wednesday night's game but was ruled out for the 118-116 loss at Milwaukee.

How the injury unfolded and team reaction

Cleveland's coach, Kenny Atkinson, said during pregame media availability that he is unsure on which play Harden was injured and that it is a little too early to define the prognostic. Harden's thumb was wrapped during Wednesday night's game; teammates Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley were also sidelined for that contest. Teammate Jarrett Allen inspected Harden's thumb and noted it visually resembled a past broken finger, saying he instantly knew something was wrong and that players often try to continue through injuries in this league.

Playing through the injury and short-term adjustments

After the hand specialist evaluation, Harden plans to play through the fractured right thumb. The injury is on his non-shooting thumb, which may make it more manageable in a shorter timeframe, but it will likely affect ball handling. Harden was listed as questionable for the Bucks game before eventually being ruled out, so the club is treating the situation as one where limited participation is possible while monitoring treatment and further evaluation.

Implications for Cleveland's rotation and offense

• In seven games with Cleveland, the 17-year veteran is averaging 18. 9 points, eight assists and 4. 6 rebounds.
• Before the trade, he averaged 25. 1 points, 8. 1 assists and 4. 8 rebounds in 44 appearances with the Clippers this season.
• With Harden available in those seven games, Cleveland has the third-best offense in the league and has gone 8-2 over its past 10 games.

If Harden must alter his role while playing through the thumb, one projected adjustment is more off-ball minutes for him with Donovan Mitchell assuming primary ball-handling duties and Harden functioning more as a shooting guard; Harden may also wear protective padding or a cast if he plays. These tactical shifts are being considered as the staff evaluates treatment and workload management.

Roster context, recent moves and organizational stakes

Harden was traded from the LA Clippers to the Cavaliers on Feb. 3. That transaction involved the Cavaliers sending Darius Garland to the Clippers in exchange for Harden. Garland had missed much of the season with injuries to both feet prior to the trade, and other Cavaliers players including Sam Merrill and Evan Mobley have missed significant time this season. Garland is now off the team.

Cleveland enters this stretch with a 37-23 record, has won eight of its past 10 games and sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, positioning the club as one of the league's hotter teams during its push. The organization is operating in the second apron of the luxury tax and has constructed a roster aimed at contending this season; if a title bid falls short, the team faces potential offseason changes. There is mention that Harden appears positioned for a contract extension, though that outcome is not guaranteed and should be considered uncertain.

Recent updates indicate the Cavaliers will continue treatment and evaluation of Harden's thumb, and the situation may evolve as medical staff and coaches assess his ability to play and the team's rotation needs.