James Harden injured thumb: fracture for Cavaliers star

The Cleveland Cavaliers have just announced bad news regarding their new star acquisition. James Harden suffers from a non-displaced fracture of the right thumb phalanx, an injury sustained during the 109-94 victory against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

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The 35-year-old guard was examined by the Cavaliers medical staff after the game, and X-rays performed on Wednesday revealed the extent of the injury. Despite this fracture, Harden is listed as questionable for Wednesday night’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.

An injury that might not prevent him from playing

The nature of this fracture offers some reasons for hope for Cleveland. It is a non-displaced fracture, which means the broken bone has not moved from its initial position. Additionally, the injury concerns his non-dominant hand, as Harden is left-handed, which limits the impact on his game.

According to reports, the 2018 former MVP is considering playing despite this injury and could wear a splint to protect his thumb. This approach is explained by the excellent momentum the Cavaliers are currently experiencing since the arrival of « The Beard. »

Just in on NBA Today — after hand specialist evaluation, Cavaliers star James Harden plans to play through his fractured right thumb: pic.twitter.com/xQz87Swecp

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 25, 2026

Traded from the LA Clippers on February 4 in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, Harden quickly found his rhythm in Cleveland. In seven games in his new colors, he is averaging 18.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Momentum to preserve for the playoffs

Harden’s impact on the Cavaliers’ offense has been immediate and spectacular. The team has a record of 6 wins and 1 loss since his integration, with an offense ranked third in the https://www.be-basketball.com/league/nba on this stretch. Coach Kenny Atkinson had praised his new point guard’s qualities after the victory against the Knicks: « His composure, his calm. He just has mastery of the game. It puts everyone at ease. That’s huge. »

With a record of 37 wins and 22 losses, Cleveland currently occupies fourth place in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Knicks for third position. This injury comes at a crucial time in the season, with only 23 games remaining before the playoffs.

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The duration of Harden’s unavailability remains uncertain and will depend on the evolution of his injury. The Cavaliers hope to minimize the damage during this critical period, especially since Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley are also questionable for Wednesday’s game.