On Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers will play the Washington Wizards (at home) in Ohio.
The Cavs are coming off a 124-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks (in Georgia).
James Harden finished the loss with 20 points and five assists while shooting 6/13 from the field and 2/6 from three-point range in 25 minutes of playing time.
Cavaliers Make James Harden Announcement
For Sunday’s game, the Cavs have ruled out Harden.
Danny Cunningham of Locked On Cavs wrote: “Players out for the #Cavs for tomorrow’s season finale against Washington: Jarrett Allen, Keon Ellis, Thomas Bryant, Evan Mobley, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Dennis Schroder and Dean Wade.”
Harden was traded to the Cavs (via the LA Clippers) earlier this season.
The future Hall of Famer is averaging 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per contest while shooting 46.6% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range in his first 26 games with the Cavs.
Cavs Right Now
The Cavs are the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 51-30 record in 81 games.
They have won seven out of their last ten games (and are 26-14 at home).
Real App wrote (on March 11): “James Harden becomes the oldest player in Cavs history to record a 30/5/5 game.”
The Cavs are coming off a year where they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs (in five games).
Adding Harden gives them a real chance to return to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018 (when LeBron James was still on the roster).
Wizards Before Cavs
The Wizards have had a very tough season as the 15th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 17-64 record in 81 games.
They are in the middle of a nine-game losing streak (and 11-30 at home).
The franchise last made the NBA playoffs during the 2021 season when they still had Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook on their roster.
That said, there is a lot of excitement about the Wizards for the 2026-27 season due to Anthony Davis and Trae Young.
Cleveland Cavaliers Make James Harden Announcement Before Wizards Game