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James Harden

Cleveland Cavaliers · Guard · 6′5″ 220 lb · age 37 · Arizona State · 18th season

14.0 ptsPTS
5.5 rebREB
6.0 astAST
33.0 minMIN

2 games this season

Availability

Tonight vs MIN

Not on the injury report official report

Lineups not confirmed yet

Teammates out

Season form

2 games this season
Threes2.0 3PM
FG%30.0%
3P%33.3%
FT%80.0%

Starts 2 of 2 games · 3rd on CLE in minutes · Core role

Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.

Every situation, with four seasons of history →

What's being said

60 items · 13 sources this season
  • Podcast Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs) (reported), via Locked On NBA · Relayed report · around the league

    Against Brooklyn, Evan Mobley was really good, Donovan Mitchell did some good things, and Jarrett Allen was fantastic and even hit a three. Tony says it was a poor James Harden night.

    “Are the Miami Heat Already in PANIC Mode After NIGHTMARE Start? Golden State Warriors LOOK Helpless” at 29:21 · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On Cavs · 4 points ·
    • Danny Cunningham: Nets player heard as 'De'Ron Sharp' was ejected after two flagrant fouls, both reckless closeouts on James Harden. The second was also his sixth foul. name not confirmed at 6:57
    • Danny Cunningham: Host analysis: the blueprint for beating the Cavs is out. Pressure the ball and make them work to get it across half court, which disrupts their offense and makes life difficult for Mitchell and Harden. at 7:18
    • Danny Cunningham: Host opinion: James Harden was not very good in this game. He shot 1 of 8 from the floor but had 7 assists and got to the free-throw line 11 times. at 7:28
    • Danny Cunningham: Host opinion: the Cavs' starting lineup has three elite-level defenders. Harden will not be a good defender at this point in his career. Mitchell's defensive effort has been higher and good enough. at 20:53

    “Cleveland Cavaliers Earn First Win While Surviving Scare Against Brooklyn Nets” · listen ↗

  • Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Opinion · around the league

    Both hosts buy 'James Harden is washed'. They say Mario Hezonja outplayed him for most of the game against the Sixers, his turnovers are getting out of hand, and Tyrese Maxey's full-court pressure sped him up.

    “The 2026-27 NBA Overreactions Draft!” at 1:31:44 · listen ↗

  • Podcast First Take · 3 points ·
    • Stephen A. (inferred) blamed James Harden, as an experienced future Hall of Fame point guard, for the 15 second-half turnovers. at 21:17
    • Stephen A. said Tyrese Maxey pressured and got in James Harden's face during the game, to the point they had to be separated. at 23:47
    • Stephen A. (reported): Stephen A. speculated that Maxey still holds 'residue' against Harden over Harden's postseason effort when they were teammates. He said Maxey once went to Doc Rivers' house frustrated, and that Maxey won't admit any of this. at 24:06

    “Hour 1: How dangerous does Caleb Williams make the Bears?” · listen ↗

  • Podcast The Herd with Colin Cowherd · 2 points ·
    • Colin Cowherd: James Harden had more turnovers than assists in last night's loss to the Sixers. at 22:16
    • Colin Cowherd: Host opinion: Mitchell 'won't guard anybody' and Harden is 'too flaky in big spots'. He presents this as part of why LeBron chose Philadelphia. at 23:56

    “THE HERD – HOUR 1 – Caleb Williams keeps sizzling I Drake Maye is carrying the Patriots” · listen ↗

  • Podcast Get Up host · Report · around the league

    Win man (heard): Cleveland's perimeter trio of James Harden, Peyton Watson and Mitchell combined for 16 turnovers, and the Cavs had no transition baskets in the second half.

    “Hour 1: Bear-Y Impressive, 29-Point U-Turn, Brown Trouble” at 22:24 · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On Cavs · 5 points ·
    • Tim said you can tell Kenny Atkinson is trying to get James Harden and Evan Mobley on the floor together more. at 5:39
    • James Harden shot inefficiently but grabbed eight rebounds. The hosts said they are fine with a bad shooting night only if he still gets assists. at 5:58
    • Harden ran pick-and-rolls with Jaylon Tyson, using him as a decision maker in the short roll. Peyton Watson was used the same way once. at 6:20
    • Harden and Merrill made the late free throws to close out the win. at 6:50
    • Late in the fourth quarter, Jarrett Allen made a transition layup off a Harden pass, but it was waved off on an offensive call. Chaz felt this gave Brooklyn a boost. at 8:15

    “CAVS POSTCAST: Cleveland Cavaliers Blow Lead but SURVIVE as Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen Deliver” · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On NBA · 5 points ·
    • Jarrett Allen subbed out after the first bad run of the third quarter, and so did Mitchell, leaving Mobley with Harden. Moore questioned why Atkinson uses this as the base setup. at 6:06
    • Moore's opinion: Jarrett Allen should be on the floor with Harden at all times to give Harden a lob threat. Mitchell should be paired with Mobley for more switchable lineups, plus another guard. at 6:29
    • Moore's view: Mitchell is more versatile than Harden because he doesn't spam pick-and-roll and can play off the ball. at 6:43
    • Hayes's view: a Harden–Mitchell backcourt will have flaws. He said this was the closest he has seen to 'playoff James Harden' in the regular season, and that should scare the Cavs. at 3:54
    • Background on Atkinson's Cavs: 60-plus wins in his first year. Last season they traded for Harden, nearly lost to the Raptors in the first round, edged the Pistons in the second, and reached the conference finals against the Knicks. at 3:00

    “The Cavaliers Need Help | James Dolan Is The WORST” · listen ↗

  • Podcast Tyrese Maxey (reported), via Locked On 76ers · Relayed report · around the league

    Asked after the game about the tussle with James Harden, Maxey reportedly said, 'I love him and he loves me.'

    “SIXERS WITH INSANE 29-POINT COMEBACK TO WIN HOME OPENER - Philadelphia 76ers Podcast” at 9:53 · listen ↗

  • Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · around the league

    Host says Cleveland's offense gets predictable: opponents trap Harden and Mitchell and force Mobley, Jarrett Allen or Peyton Watson to make decisions. Making Watson and Mobley better on offense is called the swing question of the season.

    “The Thunder Are Inevitable + Philly Trusts the Process” at 13:53 · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On Cavs · 4 points ·
    • In the second half, the Sixers ramped up physicality and ball pressure on Cleveland's primary ball handlers, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. at 6:35
    • Harden: 16 points on 5 of 12 shooting with three threes, and 6 turnovers, which was more than his assists. The host thought he was bad. at 9:12
    • Host's view: Mitchell competed and did a solid job defensively. Harden was not very good defensively. at 28:04
    • Defensive counting stats: two steals each for Watson, Mitchell and Mario Hezonja. One steal each for Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Porter and Harden. Seven team blocks, two of them by Tyson. The Sixers had nine offensive rebounds. at 28:28

    “Cleveland Cavaliers Collapse On Opening Night in Philadelphia Against LeBron James and the Sixers” · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On 76ers · 2 points ·
    • Marc Farzetta: The host's turning point: the game slowed down for Embiid. In the fourth he went at James Harden on a mismatch and hit a jumper for a 96-95 lead, then hit another jumper for a 106-100 lead with about 2:20 left. at 8:21
    • Marc Farzetta: Maxey and the Cavaliers' James Harden got into it a little in the fourth quarter, though the host said they were laughing it up afterward. at 7:46

    “76ERS POSTCAST: Philadelphia 76ers COMEBACK FROM 29pts, BEAT Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106” · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On Cavs · 3 points ·
    • Cleveland shot poorly from three all game until 'James' hit a couple at the end. 'James' is likely James Harden. at 2:20
    • A host says they would not have re-signed James Harden and blames the front office. The host adds 'just sit him on the bench', saying the team was great without him. at 6:43
    • A host says Atkinson left James Harden in while he played terribly. at 7:29

    “CAVS POSTCAST: Kenny Atkinson BLAMED; Cleveland Cavaliers BLOW Massive Lead to LeBron James & 76ers” · listen ↗

  • Bluesky Law Murray (@lawmurraythenu.bsky.social) · Report ·

    James Harden was traded from Philadelphia to the LA Clippers on November 1, 2023 The Clippers played the 76ers five times before Harden was traded to Cleveland in February 2026. The Cavaliers played the 76ers once since the trade.

    original post ↗

    also reported by Locked On Cavs host

  • Podcast Locked On NBA host · Report · around the league

    The Cavs play the 76ers tonight. It will be the first look at the Cavs roster with Peyton Watson and their first season-opener with James Harden.

    “Timberwolves SCARY Backcourt & Warriors Disastrous Start” at 29:09 · listen ↗

  • Podcast Danny Cunningham, Locked On Cavs · Report ·

    Last season Jarrett Allen played 56 games at 27.1 minutes per game. That was slightly above Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill, and below Harden, Mitchell and Mobley.

    “The Latest on the Injury to Jarrett Allen and Previewing the Cleveland Cavaliers Opener Against Philadelphia w” at 7:04 · listen ↗

    also reported by Locked On Cavs host

  • Podcast Locked On Clippers host · Report · around the league

    The host says the Clippers got Darius Garland in a trade for James Harden.

    “CLIPPERS POSTCAST: Big win in Home opener vs The Kings” at 2:51 · listen ↗

    also reported by Locked On Cavs host

  • Podcast Danny Cunningham, Locked On Cavs · Analysis ·

    The host thinks the top eight is set. His five starters are Mitchell, Harden, Watson, Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

    “Injury Updates on Sam Merrill and Nae'Qwan Tomlin, the Expected Opening Night Rotation and Tom Thibodeau's Vis” at 16:47 · listen ↗

  • Podcast It Is What It Is host · Analysis · around the league

    Cleveland brought back James Harden, who has had a full training camp.

    “NBA Is Officially BACK, GM Survey Is WILD Disrespectful & Are The Knicks Being Slept On?” at 20:30 · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On Cavs · 2 points ·
    • Cleaning the Glass (reported): Per Cleaning the Glass, as cited by the host: last season Harden and Mobley were +13.9 per 100 possessions in 264 possessions without Mitchell and Allen. The host calls it a small sample, and most of those lineups included players no longer on the team. at 7:18
    • The host predicts Mobley's three-point volume will be lower than early last season. He expects Harden to create a lot of good looks for Mobley. at 11:00

    “Breaking Down the Most Important Early Season Storylines for the Cleveland Cavaliers” · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On NBA · Opinion · around the league

    Stiles doubts Cleveland in the playoffs because it still relies heavily on James Harden.

    “BUY OR SELL NBA PREVIEW | Is the East WIDE OPEN | Who Can ACTUALLY Win the West?” at 5:17 · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On NBA host · Analysis · around the league

    Hayes cites Cleveland's addition of Peyton Watson. He expects Watson and Evan Mobley to cover for the defensive lapses of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

    “Ranking ALL 30 NBA Teams! Our Official 2026-27 Tier List” at 52:14 · listen ↗

    also reported by Locked On Cavs host

  • Podcast The Zach Lowe Show host · Analysis · around the league

    Fred on Cleveland's offseason: he liked the Peyton Watson signing, which adds switchability at the third spot. Cleveland flipped Garland for Harden. Harden has re-signed and is 37. Donovan Mitchell got a big extension. Fred says Mobley got the escalator on his contract because he won Defensive Player of the Year.

    “Knicks Preview, Playoff Picks, Finals Predictions, and More!” at 59:04 · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On Cavs · 7 points ·
    • Host argues Harden's value is removing the offensive drop-off when Mitchell sits. In his view, Harden reduces Mitchell's burden and lets Mitchell do more when Harden is off the floor. at 17:04
    • In the third preseason game the Cavs were run off the floor by the Orlando Magic and did not look interested. That made the host uneasy about the Harden-Mobley duo. at 20:45
    • After Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage, the host thinks Harden and Mobley have figured out more since training camp started. He notes the scrimmage's talent is diluted. at 20:56
    • Host predicts the Harden-Mobley duo will be better than last year's Jarrett Allen pairing and that Mobley will have a big year playing alongside Harden. at 21:37
    • In Saturday's scrimmage, Peyton Watson was on the same team as Evan Mobley and James Harden. Host thinks this may hint at the lineups Kenny Atkinson wants. at 22:14
    • Host says Harden, Mitchell and Watson are not currently trade-eligible. Mobley will not be traded, and the team is definitely not trading Watson anyway. at 28:07
    • Host thinks Harden has an All-Star chance but is unsure how aggressively he will look for his own shot. His field goal attempts dropped after he joined the Cavs last year. at 31:21

    “Making Predictions for the 2026-27 Cleveland Cavaliers” · listen ↗

  • Podcast Locked On Cavs · 5 points ·
    • Danny Cunningham: In the scrimmage, the gold team's starting lineup included James Harden, Evan Mobley and Peyton Watson. Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen were both on the wine team. at 3:32
    • Danny Cunningham: The host says the Harden–Mobley pairing is the one the team will start the season with. In the scrimmage the two were on the same team. at 4:26
    • Danny Cunningham: Harden played in two preseason games. He was very good in the first; in the second, against Orlando, the host thinks he went 3 of 12. at 4:41
    • Danny Cunningham: Open question: how often will Harden look for his own shot versus looking for Mobley? at 4:36
    • Danny Cunningham: The host predicts Harden will be good for Mobley and make him a better screen-setter. His reasoning is that Harden's slower pick-and-roll operation differs from Donovan Mitchell's and Darius Garland's and should get Mobley easy baskets and free runs to the rim. He says this was on display in the scrimmage. at 6:21

    “Evan Mobley and Peyton Watson Stand Out During Cleveland Cavaliers Wine & Gold Scrimmage” · listen ↗

  • Podcast NBA GM survey (reported), via Locked On Cavs · Relayed report ·

    No other Cavs got votes as best at their position: not James Harden at point guard, Peyton Watson at small forward, Evan Mobley at power forward, or Jarrett Allen at center.

    “Reacting to the Cleveland Cavaliers Placement in the Annual NBA GM Survey” at 16:31 · listen ↗

  • Story CBS Sports · Article ·

    NBA's most overrated players: James Harden and Paul George make list -- and so do some young All-Stars

    source ↗

  • Podcast Locked On Cavs · 2 points ·
    • Danny Cunningham: On Tuesday night Mobley and James Harden ran a nice pick-and-roll. Danny believes it came out of a timeout. Mobley missed the contested layup. at 8:05
    • Mike Lucas thinks Mitchell and Harden hold up very well when switched onto bigger players, and the Cavs might exploit this through switching or deliberately baiting mismatches. He adds Tyson, Hezonja and Tomlin as hard to move. at 28:09

    “Evan Mobley's Pressure, Peyton Watson's Preseason and Mario Hezonja's fit with Mike Lucas” · listen ↗

Podcast items are our short summaries of what was said, credited to who said it; posts and stories link to the original. Opinions and rumors are labelled as such and are not checked facts.

Game log

● = started

2026-27 season

DateOppMinPtsRebAst3PM
Oct 24BKN W33 min12 pts8 reb7 ast1 3PM
Oct 22@PHI L33 min16 pts3 reb5 ast3 3PM
2025-26 season (last season) · 85 games
DateOppMinPtsRebAst3PM
May 25NYK L33 min12 pts4 reb2 ast0 3PM
May 21@NYK L32 min18 pts6 reb2 ast3 3PM
May 19@NYK L42 min15 pts4 reb3 ast1 3PM
May 17@DET W36 min9 pts5 reb6 ast0 3PM
May 15DET L37 min23 pts7 reb4 ast3 3PM
May 11DET W37 min24 pts0 reb11 ast5 3PM
May 9DET W40 min19 pts2 reb7 ast3 3PM
May 5@DET L35 min22 pts8 reb7 ast1 3PM
May 3TOR W37 min18 pts6 reb3 ast1 3PM
May 1@TOR L44 min16 pts9 reb9 ast1 3PM
Apr 29TOR W40 min23 pts9 reb5 ast4 3PM
Apr 26@TOR L37 min19 pts2 reb8 ast2 3PM
Apr 23@TOR L33 min18 pts4 reb4 ast3 3PM
Apr 20TOR W35 min28 pts5 reb4 ast3 3PM
Apr 18TOR W33 min22 pts2 reb10 ast4 3PM
Apr 10@ATL L25 min20 pts0 reb5 ast2 3PM
Apr 8ATL W34 min21 pts5 reb4 ast4 3PM
Apr 5IND W34 min28 pts4 reb7 ast5 3PM
Apr 2@GSW W37 min19 pts2 reb5 ast3 3PM
Mar 31@LAL L28 min17 pts0 reb3 ast2 3PM
Mar 30@UTA W39 min13 pts6 reb14 ast1 3PM
Mar 27MIA W30 min17 pts5 reb14 ast2 3PM
Mar 25MIA L43 min18 pts9 reb7 ast3 3PM
Mar 24ORL W37 min26 pts3 reb7 ast4 3PM
Mar 21@NOP W36 min20 pts6 reb10 ast4 3PM
Mar 19@CHI W37 min36 pts7 reb9 ast7 3PM
Mar 17@MIL W34 min27 pts5 reb6 ast2 3PM
Mar 15DAL L38 min13 pts5 reb7 ast1 3PM
Mar 13@DAL W29 min17 pts7 reb7 ast3 3PM
Mar 11@ORL L37 min30 pts5 reb8 ast5 3PM
Mar 9PHI W29 min21 pts5 reb5 ast3 3PM
Mar 8BOS L38 min19 pts4 reb10 ast3 3PM
Mar 3DET W35 min18 pts5 reb7 ast2 3PM
Mar 1@BKN W36 min22 pts9 reb8 ast4 3PM
Feb 24NYK W32 min20 pts2 reb4 ast4 3PM
Feb 22@OKC L34 min20 pts5 reb9 ast3 3PM
Feb 20@CHA W34 min18 pts4 reb8 ast2 3PM
Feb 19BKN W28 min16 pts5 reb9 ast3 3PM
Feb 11WAS W28 min13 pts4 reb11 ast1 3PM
Feb 9@DEN W36 min22 pts10 reb7 ast2 3PM
Feb 7@SAC W32 min23 pts2 reb8 ast5 3PM
Jan 30@DEN L34 min25 pts5 reb9 ast4 3PM
Jan 27@UTA W31 min16 pts3 reb10 ast3 3PM
Jan 25BKN W31 min19 pts6 reb8 ast3 3PM
Jan 22LAL W38 min18 pts7 reb10 ast2 3PM
Jan 20@CHI L31 min24 pts5 reb6 ast3 3PM
Jan 19@WAS W37 min36 pts7 reb9 ast0 3PM
Jan 16@TOR W42 min31 pts2 reb10 ast2 3PM
Jan 14WAS W37 min22 pts5 reb8 ast2 3PM
Jan 12CHA W38 min32 pts4 reb10 ast3 3PM
Jan 10@DET W37 min19 pts7 reb7 ast1 3PM
Jan 9@BKN W35 min31 pts4 reb6 ast3 3PM
Jan 7@NYK L38 min23 pts3 reb9 ast4 3PM
Jan 3BOS L34 min18 pts3 reb12 ast1 3PM
Jan 1UTA W29 min20 pts3 reb7 ast1 3PM
Dec 30SAC W30 min21 pts3 reb5 ast1 3PM
Dec 28DET W40 min28 pts4 reb7 ast3 3PM
Dec 26@POR W39 min34 pts2 reb6 ast3 3PM
Dec 23HOU W35 min29 pts4 reb6 ast3 3PM
Dec 20LAL W41 min21 pts4 reb10 ast4 3PM
Dec 15MEM L31 min13 pts3 reb6 ast4 3PM
Dec 11@HOU L40 min22 pts3 reb7 ast4 3PM
Dec 6@MIN L39 min34 pts5 reb6 ast1 3PM
Dec 5@MEM L36 min18 pts2 reb7 ast3 3PM
Dec 3@ATL W37 min27 pts4 reb9 ast5 3PM
Dec 1@MIA L20 min11 pts2 reb3 ast1 3PM
Nov 29DAL L37 min29 pts8 reb11 ast2 3PM
Nov 28MEM L40 min23 pts7 reb11 ast4 3PM
Nov 25@LAL L37 min29 pts5 reb9 ast3 3PM
Nov 23@CLE L32 min19 pts2 reb6 ast0 3PM
Nov 22@CHA W35 min55 pts3 reb7 ast10 3PM
Nov 20@ORL L31 min31 pts5 reb8 ast5 3PM
Nov 17@PHI L37 min28 pts6 reb5 ast2 3PM
Nov 16@BOS L38 min37 pts7 reb8 ast5 3PM
Nov 14@DAL W51 min41 pts14 reb11 ast6 3PM
Nov 12DEN L30 min23 pts8 reb5 ast1 3PM
Nov 10ATL L39 min35 pts10 reb11 ast6 3PM
Nov 8PHX L41 min13 pts0 reb13 ast2 3PM
Nov 4OKC L30 min25 pts6 reb6 ast5 3PM
Nov 3MIA L39 min29 pts7 reb8 ast6 3PM
Oct 31NOP W39 min24 pts5 reb14 ast4 3PM
Oct 28@GSW L32 min20 pts4 reb1 ast1 3PM
Oct 26POR W38 min20 pts6 reb13 ast2 3PM
Oct 24PHX W28 min30 pts7 reb7 ast5 3PM
Oct 22@UTA L29 min15 pts2 reb11 ast2 3PM

How his numbers change by situation, with four seasons of history →

Predictions about him

how calls are tracked

Came true 3 · Missed 1

  • Came true Danny Cunningham: James Harden starts on opening night.
    2026-10-13 · Podcast · for @ PHI, 2026-10-22 · result: started, 33 min Flag
  • Came true Danny Cunningham: Harden will not play in Cleveland's game at the Clippers.
    2026-02-04 · Podcast · for @ LAC, 2026-02-05 · result: did not play Flag
  • Came true Danny Cunningham: Harden makes his Cavs debut in the game at Sacramento.
    2026-02-04 · Podcast · for @ SAC, 2026-02-08 · result: started, 32 min Flag
  • Missed Danny Cunningham: Harden is traded to Cleveland by the deadline, about 70% likely.
    2026-02-03 · Podcast · by 2026-02-06 Flag

Background

ESPN profile · our roster records
BornAug 26, 1989 · Los Angeles, CA
Size6′5″ · 220 lb · Guard
CollegeArizona State
Draft2009 · round 1, pick 3 · OKC
Experience18th NBA season
Teams (since 2022-23)CLE 2026–27 · LAC 2025–26 · CLE 2025–26 · LAC 2023–25 · PHI 2022–23