The James Harden era with the Cleveland Cavaliers officially kicked off with a nail-biting victory over the struggling Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Harden’s debut, following a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, was marked by a crucial late-game performance that propelled the Cavaliers to a 124-121 win.
In his first game with Cleveland, Harden scored 23 points, shooting an efficient 7-of-13 from the field, with a remarkable 15 of those points coming in a heated fourth quarter. When the Cavaliers found themselves trailing 121-116 with under four minutes left, Harden stepped up, sinking back-to-back three-pointers to regain the lead for his team. He also sealed the game with four free throws in the final 30 seconds, showcasing his ability to deliver in clutch moments.
Though the night started off rocky for the 11-time All-Star, with the team’s defense looking shaky, contributions from Donovan Mitchell, who scored a staggering 35 points, and Jarrett Allen with 29 points, helped mitigate those issues. The excitement surrounding Harden’s debut was palpable, even prompting rapper Travis Scott to make a surprise appearance during the postgame interview, celebrating the team’s new addition.
Harden’s exit from the Clippers came after a disappointing first half of the season, leading to a significant roster shakeup aimed at improving the team’s performance alongside star player Kawhi Leonard. In joining the Cavaliers, Harden enters a franchise that finds itself in playoff contention, albeit not as dominant as last season’s 64-win team. His partnership with Mitchell promises a dynamic offensive backcourt, yet questions linger about the compatibility of their overlapping skill sets.
As Harden embarks on this new chapter with his sixth NBA team, the focus will be on whether he can translate his individual success into postseason success, an aspect that has eluded him in the past. For now, Cavaliers fans can hold onto hope as they look forward to seeing how Harden’s presence impacts the team’s quest for a deep playoff run.