James Harden Clears Ankle Issue, Back in Cavaliers' Backcourt
James Harden is not on Cleveland's injury report after a brief right ankle scare in the season's opening week. He scored 24 points in a win over Orlando on Oct. 11, then followed with a quieter 13-point night in a loss to the Magic two nights later. Last season he averaged 23.6 points and 8.0 assists across 70 games for Cleveland, and he re-signed with the team over the summer.
By the Cavaliers Nightly Desk · updated 7 d ago01The story of the nightCleared and Back in the RotationJames Harden is not on Cleveland's injury report right now.
James Harden is not on Cleveland's injury report right now. He played through a right ankle issue that had him marked day-to-day as recently as Oct. 8, sat out real run that night with zero minutes, then was cleared on Oct. 11. He came right back with a strong game, scoring 24 points in 26.1 minutes in a win over Orlando. Two nights later, in a rematch with the Magic, his workload stayed about the same at 26.7 minutes but his scoring dropped to 13 points in a loss. At 37 years old, in his 17th season, that kind of up-and-down scoring night to night is something Cleveland will manage carefully as the schedule rolls on.
02The Right Ankle IssueThe ankle problem surfaced Oct.
The ankle problem surfaced Oct. 8, the same day Harden logged zero minutes against Boston, listed as day-to-day with a right ankle and leg issue. He avoided the injury report entirely by Oct. 11, clearing in time to suit up against Orlando that night. For a 37-year-old guard carrying a heavy workload — he played 34.8 minutes a night last season — ankle maintenance is the kind of thing that can linger into a back-to-back or a longer absence if it is not handled early. So far, Cleveland has been able to get him back on the floor quickly rather than holding him out for an extended stretch.
03What He Put Up Last SeasonIn 2025-26, Harden played 70 games for Cleveland and averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and…
In 2025-26, Harden played 70 games for Cleveland and averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks in 34.8 minutes a night. He shot 43.4 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three and 88.4 percent from the free-throw line, numbers that added up to a 61.0 true shooting mark. His usage rate sat at 27.9 percent, meaning the offense still ran through him at a high rate, and Cleveland was better with him on the floor, posting a plus-1.4 net mark. Turnovers were a real cost of that usage: he coughed the ball up 3.5 times a game. Those are the full-season numbers Cleveland will be looking to hold onto as he heads into his age-37 year.
04How the Playoff Run EndedHarden's last extended look at meaningful minutes came in last season's playoffs.
Harden's last extended look at meaningful minutes came in last season's playoffs. Against Detroit, he had a 30-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist night in a win on May 13, followed it with 23 points in a loss on May 15, then 9 points and 6 assists in a win on May 17. The series against New York went worse: 15 points on May 19, 18 points on May 21, 19 points on May 23 and 12 points on May 25, all losses, with his minutes climbing as high as 42.1 and 40.9 in two of those games. Cleveland's season ended there, with Harden logging heavy minutes down the stretch against a Knicks team that had his number.
05Re-Signed, With Draft Capital AttachedHarden stayed in Cleveland over the offseason.
Harden stayed in Cleveland over the offseason. A report dated Sept. 8 said the Cavaliers officially re-signed him, and a day later, Bobby Marks reported contract and trade details that included Grizzlies draft picks as part of the arrangement. Nothing beyond those two reports has been confirmed publicly about how the full deal is structured. What is clear is that Cleveland chose to build its 2026-27 backcourt around him rather than let him leave, continuing the partnership that produced his 23.6-point, 8.0-assist season a year ago.
Harden23.6 ppg
George23.6 ppg
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