The Cleveland Cavaliers began the James Harden era with a narrow victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, marking Harden’s first game with the team after a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden finished with 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 15 points in the fourth quarter, helping Cleveland pull off the comeback. His late-game heroics were critical in turning a close contest into a win.
Harden Leads Cavaliers’ Comeback with Clutch Shots Amid Early Defensive Struggles
Harden made his presence felt when the Cavaliers trailed 121-116 with under four minutes remaining. He sank back-to-back three-pointers to put Cleveland ahead and added four clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory. Harden’s late-game execution showed why the 11-time All-Star remains one of the NBA’s premier offensive players, even as he adjusts to a new system.
James Harden (NBA)The debut wasn’t without challenges, as Cleveland’s defense struggled early, highlighting the need for Harden to acclimate to his new teammates and defensive schemes. Despite these issues, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen carried the load with 35 and 29 points, respectively, ensuring that the Cavaliers stayed competitive while Harden found his rhythm. The combination of Mitchell, Allen, and Harden provided a strong offensive showing.
Harden Joins Cavaliers to Strengthen Offense and Build Chemistry with Mitchell
Harden’s departure from the Clippers came after two and a half seasons marked by a disappointing first half of the 2025–26 campaign. He was traded to Cleveland in exchange for All-Star guard Darius Garland as Los Angeles reshaped the roster around Kawhi Leonard. Harden’s move to Cleveland reunites him with a playoff-ready team, giving him a chance to make an immediate impact while addressing some of the offensive gaps Cleveland experienced last season.
Looking ahead, Harden joins a Cavaliers team chasing the success of their 64-win campaign last year. Pairing him with Mitchell in the backcourt gives Cleveland a dynamic offensive duo, though there are overlapping skill sets to manage. While Harden’s ability to perform in the playoffs remains a question, his immediate focus is on integrating into the team and building chemistry. Saturday’s performance suggests a promising start to his tenure in Cleveland.
