Cleveland Cavaliers Make James Harden Announcement Before Grizzlies Game

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to a game against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

On Monday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers will play the Grizzlies in Memphis.

The Cavs most recently beat the Indiana Pacers by a score of 117-108.

James Harden finished with 28 points, four rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block while shooting 8/17 from the field and 5/11 from three-point range in 34 minutes of playing time.

Cavs Make James Harden Announcement Before Grizzlies

For Monday’s game, the Cavs have announced that Harden has been ruled out.

He will miss the game due to personal reasons.

Danny Cunningham of Locked On Cavs wrote: “#Cavs list Donovan Mitchell (left ankle sprain) as out tonight in Memphis.

James Harden (personal reasons), Thomas Bryant (left calf strain), Max Strus (left foot injury management), Jaylon Tyson (left great toe bone bruise) and Dean Wade (right ankle sprain) are also out.”

Harden is in the middle of his first season playing for the Cavs after getting traded (via the LA Clippers) in February.

He is averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists per contest while shooting 48.1% from the field and 44.0% from three-point range in 24 games for the Cavs.

Harden Before Cavs

Harden was the third pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Arizona State.

Before the Cavs and Clippers, the future Hall of Famer also had stints with the OKC Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers over 17 seasons.

Real App wrote (on March 11): “James Harden becomes the oldest player in Cavs history to record a 30/5/5 game.”

Cavs Right Now

The Cavs are the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 49-29 record in 78 games.

They are in the middle of a two-game winning streak (and have won eight out of their last ten).

On the road, the Cavs have gone 24-15 in 39 games away from Ohio.

The Cavs last won a title during the 2016 season (when they still had LeBron James on the roster).

They are coming off a year where they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

Adding Harden to a roster that also features Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen should give them a real chance to return to the NBA Finals in 2026.