It has been another successful season thus far for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 37-23 record.
Of course, the Cavaliers had high expectations entering the season after finishing as the No. 1 seed in the East last season and while they did not have the best start to the season, they have been able to turn things around recently.
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) is helped off the court by guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and center Jarrett Allen (31)© Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
(© Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)
While most of Cleveland’s success this season has been due to their core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, they have turned the corner after the trade deadline due to the acquisition of star guard James Harden.
Cleveland acquired Harden from the Los Angeles clippers ahead of the trade deadline in a deal that sent Darius Garland to Los Angeles and it has worked out well for the Cavaliers thus far.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1)David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard-Imagn Images)
Since acquiring Harden at the trade deadline, the Cavaliers have gone 6-1 in games he has played, though the star guard is currently sidelined due to a fractured right thumb.
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Jarrett Allen has High Praise for James Harden for Key Reason
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31)© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
(© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
Despite his injury, Harden has played a key role for Cleveland since arriving, and Allen had high praise for the star guard on Thursday when he appeared on “SiriusXM NBA Radio.”
“Every big is going to love playing with him,” Allen said about Harden. “You heard what (Ivica) Zubac said about him. He’s one of the best guards to play with as a big man. And he just came in and made so many looks of mine easy. You just hear these stories about him and now that it’s happening to me, it’s so true what all the other big men have been saying.”
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This is high praise from Allen, which has been a recurring theme for big men playing alongside Harden during his career, especially during his time alongside Zubac in Los Angeles and with Clint Capela on the Houston Rockets.
Allen also makes a great point about how Harden has made his job easier as his numbers have taken a major leap since the Cavaliers acquired the star guard.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
(© Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
Since Harden arrived in Cleveland, Allen is averaging 20.4 points and 11.3 rebounds while shooting 76.7% from the field over the seven games they have played together.
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On the season thus far, Allen is averaging 15.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 63.3% from the field, which is lower than his numbers with Harden in the lineup.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1)© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
(© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
Now Allen and rest of the Cavaliers will await Harden’s return from injury as they try to make a run at one of the top seeds in the East before the playoffs being before making a run at a title with their new core leading the way.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.