{"id":701800,"date":"2026-04-06T18:18:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/701800\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T18:18:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:18:37","slug":"cleveland-cavaliers-make-james-harden-announcement-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/701800\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleveland Cavaliers Make James Harden Announcement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"780\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2260598714-1.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 Monday 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=\"216685\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> will play the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Grizzlies\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/memphis-grizzlies\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216689\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Grizzlies<\/a> in Memphis.<\/p>\n<p>The Cavs most recently beat 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=\"216686\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Indiana Pacers<\/a> by a score of 117-108.<\/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=\"216688\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Harden<\/a> finished with 28 points, four rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block while shooting 8\/17 from the field and 5\/11 from three-point range in 34 minutes of playing time.<\/p>\n<p>Cleveland Cavaliers Make James Harden Announcement<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\/1775499503_703_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=\"216687\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dallas Mavericks<\/a> at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>For Monday\u2019s game, the Cavs have announced that Harden has been ruled out.<\/p>\n<p>He will miss the game due to personal reasons.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RealDCunningham\/status\/2041214980574310462\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Danny Cunningham of Locked On Cavs wrote:<\/a> \u201c#Cavs list <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Donovan Mitchell\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/donovan-mitchell\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216699\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Donovan Mitchell<\/a> (left ankle sprain) as out tonight in Memphis.<\/p>\n<p>James Harden (personal reasons), <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Thomas Bryant\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/thomas-bryant\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216702\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thomas Bryant<\/a> (left calf strain), <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Max Strus\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/max-strus\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216700\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Max Strus<\/a> (left foot injury management), <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Jaylon Tyson\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/jaylon-tyson\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216705\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaylon Tyson<\/a> (left great toe bone bruise) and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"Dean Wade\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/dean-wade\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216698\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dean Wade<\/a> (right ankle sprain) are also out.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5828720\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5828720\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2264252289.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5828720\" 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=\"216692\" 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 the middle of his first season playing for 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=\"216693\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LA Clippers<\/a>) in February.<\/p>\n<p>He is averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists per contest while shooting 48.1% from the field and 44.0% from three-point range in 24 games for the Cavs.<\/p>\n<p>Harden Before Cavs<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5828732\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5828732\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-1065619314.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5828732\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyJames Harden #13 of the <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=\"216703\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Houston Rockets<\/a> dribbles the ball 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=\"216704\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Wizards<\/a> in the first half at Capital One Arena on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC.<\/p>\n<p>Harden was the third pick in the 2009 <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"NBA\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216707\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NBA<\/a> Draft out of Arizona State.<\/p>\n<p>Before the Cavs and Clippers, the future Hall of Famer also had stints 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=\"216708\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thunder<\/a>, Houston Rockets, 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=\"216706\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> over 17 seasons.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/realapp\/status\/2031920005499977897\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Real App wrote:<\/a> \u201cJames Harden becomes the oldest player in Cavs history to record a 30\/5\/5 game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cavs Right Now<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5797826\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5797826\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775499514_376_GettyImages-2260288614-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5797826\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyJames Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter of the game at Ball Arena on February 9, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.<\/p>\n<p>The Cavs are the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 49-29 record in 78 games.<\/p>\n<p>They are in the middle of a two-game winning streak (and have won eight out of their last ten).<\/p>\n<p>On the road, the Cavs have gone 24-15 in 39 games away from Ohio.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5795262\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5795262\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2259493095.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-5795262\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyHead coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a call during the first half against the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/portland-trail-blazers\/\" title=\"Portland Trail Blazers\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216715\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> at Moda Center on February 01, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.<\/p>\n<p>The Cavs last won a title during the 2016 season (when they still had <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/lebron-james\/\" title=\"LeBron James\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216716\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LeBron James<\/a> on the roster).<\/p>\n<p>They are coming off a year where they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>Adding Harden to a roster that also features Donovan Mitchell, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/evan-mobley\/\" title=\"Evan Mobley\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"216717\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Evan Mobley<\/a> and Jarrett Allen should give them a real chance to return to the NBA Finals in 2026.<\/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":652607,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3795],"tags":[7,294,293,177,4070,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-701800","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-memphis-grizzlies","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-grizzlies","10":"tag-memphis","11":"tag-memphis-grizzlies","12":"tag-memphisgrizzlies","13":"tag-nba"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116359143826944601","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/701800","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=701800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/701800\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/652607"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=701800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=701800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=701800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}