James Harden’s thumb injury versus Knicks comes with Cavaliers twist

The Cavaliers suffered what seems like a potential blow in their win over the Knicks on Tuesday night. 

The newly acquired James Harden sustained a “non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx” in his right thumb during the game, the team announced.

Harden will “undergo treatment and continued evaluation” on the injury, the Cavaliers added. 

Despite the fracture, Harden still has a chance to play Wednesday night against the Bucks in Milwaukee and is currently listed as questionable. Harden isn’t getting surgery and plans to play through the injury, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) watches as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) falls during the second half at Rocket Arena. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The injury, notably, occurred in Harden’s non-shooting hand, giving him a better shot at either playing through it or returning to the court early.  

Harden has been excellent for Cleveland since being acquired from the Clippers in exchange for Darius Garland before the trade deadline, averaging 18.9 points and eight assists on 49.4 percent shooting and 48.8 percent from 3-point range.

The Cavaliers have gone 6-1 with Harden in the lineup, with their only loss coming against the reigning NBA champion Thunder in Oklahoma City. 

Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson raved about Harden after their 107-94 beatdown of the Knicks, less than 24 hours before news of the injury came to light. 

“His composure, calmness,” Atkinson said of Harden after the game. “He’s just got a command of the game. That settles everybody down. It’s huge. He knows where the ball’s got to go. He knows the end-of-game stuff. Sharp, sharp player.”

Harden had 20 points on 8-for-18 shooting with four assists during the victory. 

James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a 3-pointer against the Knicks on February 24, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NBAE via Getty Images

Overall, Harden has averaged 18.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds since joining Cleveland earlier this month.

The Cavaliers, 37-22, are tied with the Knicks for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference heading into Wednesday’s play.