Harden sustains nondisplaced fracture of right thumb, Cavs say he will play through it

James Harden sustained a nondisplaced fracture of his right thumb during Tuesday night's win over the New York Knicks, and harden plans to play through the injury while the Cavaliers arrange treatment and further evaluation, the team said.

X-rays confirmed injury; Harden missed Milwaukee game

Harden underwent X-rays on Wednesday that revealed the fracture, and he was ruled out for Wednesday night's 118-116 loss at Milwaukee after initially being listed as questionable. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said during his pregame media availability he isn't sure on which play Harden was injured and that it's "a little too early for me to say exactly what the prognostic is. "

Harden evaluated by specialist and will not need surgery

Sources told's Shams Charania that Harden was evaluated by a hand specialist and will not require surgery. The team said he will undergo treatment and further evaluation. Harden's thumb was wrapped during Wednesday night's game, and Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley were also sidelined for that contest.

Teammates reacted in the moment

Jarrett Allen, watching the injury happen, said, "I looked at his thumb and it looked like my finger when I broke it. So instantly I knew that something was wrong. " Allen added, "I was waiting to see he was going to play through it or that he was talking about it, but it's just one of those things in this league where people go down, but you have to keep continuing. " The wrapped thumb and Allen's observation came during the game against Milwaukee that ended 118-116.

Trade and season numbers for context

Harden was traded from the LA Clippers to the Cavaliers on Feb. 3. 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. Cleveland (37-23) has won eight of its past 10 games and is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Next steps: treatment and further evaluation

The Cavaliers said Harden will undergo treatment and further evaluation after the X-rays and specialist visit; unclear in the provided context is the specific timeline for that evaluation. The team ruled him out for the Milwaukee game, and the next confirmed step is the medical treatment and follow-up assessments that the team outlined.

's Jamal Collier contributed to this report.