{"id":695573,"date":"2026-04-03T07:56:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T07:56:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/695573\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T07:56:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T07:56:38","slug":"cleveland-cavaliers-star-james-harden-made-nba-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/695573\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleveland Cavaliers Star James Harden Made NBA History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"780\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2260598714.jpg\" class=\"attachment-featured-image size-featured-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"   decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>CLEVELAND, OHIO &#8211; FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to a game against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday night, the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Cleveland Cavaliers\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/cleveland-cavaliers\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213199\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> played the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Golden State Warriors\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/golden-state-warriors\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213194\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Golden State Warriors<\/a> at the Chase Center in San Francisco.<\/p>\n<p>The Cavs won by a score of 118-111.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"James Harden\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/james-harden\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213197\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Harden<\/a> finished with 19 points, two rebounds and five assists while shooting 7\/11 from the field and 3\/6 from three-point range in 37 minutes of playing time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5877634\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5877634\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2269599156.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5877634\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyJames Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Gui Santos\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/gui-santos\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213201\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gui Santos<\/a> #15 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter at Chase Center on April 02, 2026 in San Francisco, California.<\/p>\n<p>With their win over the Warriors, the Cavs have now clinched a spot in the 2026 <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"NBA\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213196\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NBA<\/a> playoffs.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cavs\/status\/2039923614489919672\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">The Cavaliers wrote (via X)<\/a>: \u201c\ud83d\udd12PLAYOFFS. CLINCHED.<\/p>\n<p>The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially clinched a 2026 NBA Playoffs berth. See you the post-season, Cavs fans!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Harden has now made the NBA playoffs in all 17 of his seasons as a pro.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PolymarketSport\/status\/2039942742952841605\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Polymarket Sports wrote:<\/a> \u201cLongest playoff streaks in NBA history:<\/p>\n<p>Karl Malone \u2013 19 years John Stockton \u2013 19 years Tim Duncan \u2013 18 years James Harden \u2013 17 years* Jason Kidd \u2013 17 years <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Tony Parker\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/tony-parker\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213200\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tony Parker<\/a> \u2013 17 years<\/p>\n<p>Only 6 of these seasons ended with rings.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5828719\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5828719\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773386533_GettyImages-2264251354.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5828719\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyJames Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up before a game against the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Brooklyn Nets\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/brooklyn-nets\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213195\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brooklyn Nets<\/a> at Barclays Center on March 01, 2026 in New York City.<\/p>\n<p>Harden is in his first season with the Cavs after getting traded (via the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"LA Clippers\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/los-angeles-clippers\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213198\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LA Clippers<\/a>) last month.<\/p>\n<p>Since the trade, the 2018 MVP is averaging 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists per contest while shooting 48.2% from the field and 43.9% from three-point range in 23 games.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/realapp\/status\/2028250590262992917\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Real App wrote (on March 1):<\/a> \u201cJames Harden becomes the fastest PG in Cavs history to reach 150+ PTS &amp; 50+ AST.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Harden\u2019s NBA Career<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5877635\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5877635\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2267303244.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5877635\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyJames Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks backcourt during a game against the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Dallas Mavericks\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/dallas-mavericks\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213202\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dallas Mavericks<\/a> at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Harden was the third pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Arizona State.<\/p>\n<p>He has also spent time with the OKC <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Thunder\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/oklahoma-city-thunder\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213206\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thunder<\/a>, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Houston Rockets\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/houston-rockets\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213204\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Houston Rockets<\/a>, Brooklyn Nets and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Philadelphia 76ers\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/philadelphia-76ers\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213203\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> (in addition to the Cavs and Clippers).<\/p>\n<p>The future Hall of Famer has career averages of 24.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 43.9% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range in 1,217 games.<\/p>\n<p>All that is missing from his legendary career is an NBA Championship ring.<\/p>\n<p>Cavs Right Now<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5797853\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5797853\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775202904_944_GettyImages-2260598923_a77854.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5797853\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyDonovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warm up prior to a game against the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Washington Wizards\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/washington-wizards\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213205\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Wizards<\/a> at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.<\/p>\n<p>The Cavs are having another strong regular season as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 48-29 record in 77 games.<\/p>\n<p>They have won seven out of their last ten (and are 24-15 on the road).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5793567\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5793567\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2260610586_b2b79a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5793567\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyDonovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, the Cavs will return home to host the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Indiana Pacers\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/indiana-pacers\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"213207\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Indiana Pacers<\/a> in Ohio.<\/p>\n<p>Last season, they were the first seed (but lost to the Pacers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs).<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/benstinarheavy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ben Stinar<\/a> Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nHe has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/benstinarheavy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More about Ben Stinar<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Cavaliers\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty CLEVELAND, OHIO &#8211; FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to a&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":631210,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3772],"tags":[7,306,305,193,3846,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-695573","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cleveland-cavaliers","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-cavaliers","10":"tag-cleveland","11":"tag-cleveland-cavaliers","12":"tag-clevelandcavaliers","13":"tag-nba"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116339716087925774","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=695573"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695573\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/631210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=695573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=695573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=695573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}