Cavaliers Vs Nets: Harden returns with broken thumb as Cleveland wins 106-102

NEW YORK — In a game that directly shifted momentum for both clubs, the cavaliers vs nets matchup ended 106-102 as James Harden returned to the Cleveland lineup with a broken thumb and the Cavaliers snapped a two-game skid on Sunday.

Cavaliers Vs Nets: Harden’s return and the broken-thumb diagnosis

James Harden scored 22 points in his return after missing two games following a fractured thumb earlier in the week. X-rays Wednesday showed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx after he was injured Tuesday night in a 109-94 home victory over New York. The 17-year veteran shot 5 for 9 from the field, 4 for 7 from 3-point distance and 8 for 12 from the line, and added nine rebounds and eight assists. Harden was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 4.

Supporting Cavaliers performances and availability notes

Jarrett Allen scored 20 points and Evan Mobley finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, helping Cleveland rally in the second half. Sam Merrill added 15 points and Dennis Schroder had 10. Donovan Mitchell was sidelined for a third straight game with a groin injury, and Dean Wade did not play because of a sprained ankle. The Cavaliers improved to 12-1 in their last 13 games against the Nets and will host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Brooklyn’s scorers and the growing slump

Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting and Danny Wolf scored 23 points with nine rebounds. Nolan Traore contributed 17 points and Grant Nelson had 11. The loss was Brooklyn’s eighth straight and its 11th defeat in 13 games, dropping the Nets to 15-45 overall.