CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers today at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, just hours after finalizing a trade deal that sees Darius Garland head to Los Angeles in exchange for James Harden. This NBA matchup is available for streaming on several platforms, allowing fans to catch the action for free.
Fans can tune into the game live on the FanDuel Sports Network Ohio and FanDuel Sports Network SoCal starting at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time (7:30 p.m. Pacific). Those who have cut the cable cord can take advantage of free trials offered by DIRECTV and FuboTV to watch the game without charge. DIRECTV is offering $40 off the first month, while FuboTV provides a $25 discount for new subscribers.
Both Garland and Harden were initially anticipated to play, but reports confirm that Garland will not participate as he continues to recover from a toe injury that has sidelined him for the past nine games. Conversely, Harden was previously listed as out due to personal reasons while the Clippers negotiated his trade.
James Harden, a seasoned veteran, has played 17 seasons with five different NBA teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and now the Clippers. Over the course of his career, he has averaged 24.1 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in 1,195 regular-season games. His impressive accolades include being selected to 11 All-Star games and winning both the Sixth Man of the Year award and the MVP award.
Darius Garland, drafted fifth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, has spent his entire career with the Cavaliers. In 408 career games, he has averaged 18.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. As a two-time NBA All-Star, Garland has shown promise, although injuries have impacted his performance, notably with a recurring toe injury.
This trade signifies a pivotal moment for the Cavaliers, who have been experiencing “Finals-or-bust” pressure thanks to their high payroll and the urgency tied to Donovan Mitchell’s contract. Recent moves by the Cavaliers include a trade that sent De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings and brought Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to Cleveland. The acquisition of Harden suggests the team’s desire to create a more competitive roster capable of contending for a championship, especially with a changing landscape in the Eastern Conference.
As the Cavaliers look to solidify their position in the league, their match against the Clippers today promises to be an intriguing showdown, showcasing the changing dynamics of both teams with the recent player swap.