James Harden returns from thumb fracture to propel Cavaliers past Nets
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NEW YORK — James Harden shook off a recent right-thumb fracture and nearly posted a triple-double on Sunday, guiding the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 106-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
The 11-time All-Star, back after missing two games, delivered 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while hitting 4 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc. Cleveland trailed 52-46 at halftime before Harden’s second-half surge swung the momentum.
“You could see in the first half he’s not 100%, obviously,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “In the second half he had that stretch where we were struggling, he kind of took over, got to the free-throw line, hit a couple threes.”
Harden sustained the fracture during Tuesday night’s 109-94 victory over the New York Knicks and sat out two contests. Despite the injury, the 36-year-old guard sparked a 24-12 run in the third quarter, highlighted by two free throws and a four-point play that gave Cleveland a 70-64 advantage with 4:40 remaining in the period.
Acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 3, Harden is averaging 19.3 points, 8.0 assists and 5.1 rebounds in eight games with the Cavaliers. “We needed him tonight,” Atkinson added. “Obviously playing handicapped, he still played really well.”
Cleveland improved to 106-102 at the final horn, handing Brooklyn the narrow defeat at Barclays Center.
Source: ESPN
