James Harden is struggling to dribble amid a broken thumb

Cleveland Cavaliers star guardian James Harden is dealing with adversity with his nagging arm injury.

Harden is in the 17th year of his NBA career, the first with the Cavaliers. He began the 2025-26 campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded to Cleveland for Darius Garland.

Harden has impressed early in his time with the Cavaliers, going 6-1 over his first seven games with the franchise. However, he is sidelined after breaking his thumb against the New York Knicks on February 24.

Head Coach Kenny Atkinson provided an update on Harden’s health during Friday’s pregame press conference, via SB Nation. There, he discovered the struggles of a veteran struggling with an arm injury.

“I know he struggled a little bit just dribbling this morning,” Atkinson said. “If you have a hard time dribbling and catching (it’s hard to play). Jarrett Allen went through that earlier in the season. We tried to get him back. He wanted to rush, and then we had to go back and give him some time.”

“I know James is different … we have to get feedback from James. … There’s no tougher guy in the league. Nobody’s available anymore. Nobody wants to play anymore.”

What’s next for James Harden, Cavaliers

It’s clear that James Harden will need time to fully recover from his broken thumb. Until then, the Cavaliers will have to hold down the fort without their newly acquired star.

Harden has been impressive during his seven appearances with the Cavaliers. He is averaging 18.9 points, eight assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. He is shooting 49.4% from the field, including 48.8% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free throw line.

Cleveland has a 37-24 record on the season, and is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are two games ahead of the Toronto Raptors and three games ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers while trailing the New York Knicks by 1.5 games and the Boston Celtics by three games.

After Friday’s overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons, the Cavaliers will look to bounce back in their next matchup. They stay on the road when they play the Brooklyn Nets on March 1st at 3:30 PM ET.