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CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Beard is in The Land! James Harden makes his Cleveland Cavaliers home debut against the lowly Washington Wizards today – Wednesday, Feb. 11 – at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. This NBA game is available on multiple streaming services for free.
How do I watch Cavs for free?
This game will broadcast live on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio and Monumental Sports Network at 7 p.m. Eastern. There are two ways to catch this game free. Fans who have parted ways with their local cable provider can watch for free by utilizing a free trial from DIRECTV, which also offers $40 off your first month. FuboTV has a free trial and $25 off your first month.
Sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference – and winners of four straight, including 11 of their last 13 games – the surging Cavs (33-21) continue to reap the rewards of pulling the trigger with the swap of Darius Garland for Harden, an 11-time All-Star and former MVP.
Cleveland is coming off a gritty, measuring stick matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The Cavs edged the Western Conference powerhouse, 119-117. Cleveland erased a 10-point deficit in the final seven minutes to stun the Denver faithful.
Harden’s impact has been immediate. He has combined for 45 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds in just two games in a Cavaliers uniform. The veteran is averaging 25.3 points, 8.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 42.1% from the field this season.
The Cavs will hand out Harden beards for fans to don tonight in honor of his home debut.
Franchise centerpiece Donovan Mitchell continues play at an elite level. He is averaging a fifth-best 29.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 48.5% from the field.
Center Jarrett Allen has been supercharged since Harden joined the fray. In those two games, he is averaging 25.5 points and 11.5 rebounds while shooting 75% from field.
Furthermore, the matchup with the Wizards is an enticing one for the big man. Washington is allowing more than 55 points in the paint and 14 offensive rebounds per game in their last five contests.
Rising guard Jaylon Tyson continues to shine in an elevated role. He is averaging 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 51.6% from the field, which is 23rd in the NBA. Tyson has nabbed at least two 3-pointers in eight of his last nine games.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley will miss the game as he continues to recover from a left calf strain. He last played on Jan. 26.
The Cavs lead the season series against the Wizards, 2-0.
Sitting at the bottom of the barrel in the East, the Wizards (14-38) are looking to the future after acquiring superstar power forward Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks. Davis is expected to sit out the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to finger and groin injuries.
Star point guard Trae Young, who was acquired earlier this season, will also miss the game with an MCL sprain. He is expected to be reevaluated after the All-Star break.
Those injuries put the onus on 2024 second overall pick Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson and Will Riley to carry the load in a game where they are 16.5-point underdogs on most betting sites.
Sarr leads the team with 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 49.6% from the field per contest.
The defense has bled across the court for much of the campaign as Washington is allowing the second-most points per game (122) in the NBA.
Despite the eyesore record, the Wizards recently secured a marquee, 126-117, victory over the East-leading Pistons in Detroit. Riley led the way with 20 points off the bench.
Watch Cavs for free on DIRECTV
See James Harden: Buy Cavs vs. Wizards tickets for as low as $37 (Use Vivid Seats code ADVANCE20 to get $20 off tickets of $200 or more)
Grab the James Harden Cavs Statement Edition black jersey for just $99.99 in sizes small to 5XL.Courtesy of FanaticsIs James Harden playing today?
Yes, James Harden is making his Cleveland Cavaliers home debut today against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena today.
What is the Cavs vs. Wizards NBA injury report?
Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley (left calf strain), Dean Wade (left ankle sprain), Max Strus (left foot surgery recovery) and Emmanuel Miller (G-League two-way) are all out.
Washington Wizards: Anthony Davis (left finger sprain), Trae Young (right knee MCL sprain and quad contusion), D’Angelo Russell (not with team) and Cam Whitmore (right shoulder deep vein thrombosis) are all out.
Tristan Vukecevic (illness) is questionable.
Here’s more information on how to watch Cavs vs. Wizards on TV and streaming services.
What: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards
When: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern
Where: Rocket Arena | Cleveland, Ohio
Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio and MNMT
Best streaming options: FuboTV (free trial and $25 off your first month) and DIRECTV (free trial and $40 off your first month)