The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their first-round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, looking to justify a bold midseason move that reshaped their roster. Cleveland entered the postseason as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference after acquiring veteran guard James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers in February.
That trade sent two-time All-Star Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to Los Angeles, giving Cleveland another proven creator alongside Donovan Mitchell. Harden responded with strong regular-season production, averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 26 games after the deadline.
In Game 1 against Toronto, Harden added another milestone to his resume. The 36-year-old moved past Hall of Famer Larry Bird on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list, climbing into 13th place during the first half of his Cavaliers postseason debut.
The moment carried added weight for Cleveland, which made the move to bring in Harden specifically for playoff basketball. Saturday marked the first test of that gamble.
James Harden Passes Larry Bird On NBA All-Time Playoff Scoring List
Harden entered Game 1 with 3,895 career playoff points, just behind Bird’s total of 3,897. He passed the Boston Celtics legend during the first half against Toronto and moved into sole possession of 13th place on the league’s postseason scoring leaderboard.
He now trails Dwyane Wade and Tony Parker among the next names ahead of him on the all-time list.
The achievement adds to one of the most productive postseason careers of the modern era.
Harden has now also appeared in the playoffs in 17 consecutive seasons, spanning from 2009-10 through 2025-26.
The Cavaliers host the Raptors in Game 1 on Saturday at 1 PM ET on @NBAonPrime.
That streak places him among rare company. Only Karl Malone and John Stockton, who each reached 19 straight postseasons, and Tony Parker, who made 17 consecutive appearances, have matched or exceeded that mark.
Harden’s playoff longevity has spanned multiple franchises. He first reached the postseason with the Oklahoma City Thunder, then extended the streak with the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and now the Cavaliers.
He entered Saturday with a 90-83 record in 173 career playoff games. He also held the second-most playoff wins by a player without an NBA championship, behind Malone.
For Cleveland, the scoring milestone was a reminder of why the front office targeted Harden before the deadline.
James Harden Impact Gives Cleveland Cavaliers New Playoff Edge
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden
The Cavaliers had been competitive early in the season, but the organization chose to make a major move to strengthen its backcourt for the postseason.
By pairing Harden with Mitchell, Cleveland added another experienced ballhandler and half-court organizer. That was especially valuable entering a playoff environment where the pace slows, and late-game execution often decides outcomes.
The early returns after the trade were strong, helping stabilize the offense and easing pressure on Mitchell.
Against Toronto in Game 1, the Cavaliers jumped to an early lead behind balanced scoring and efficient execution. Cleveland led 97-76 at the end of the third quarter, with Harden already contributing 16 points and seven assists at that stage.
Mitchell added scoring punch, while Cleveland’s frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen controlled interior possessions. Max Strus also provided an early offensive lift off the bench.
The Raptors entered the series short-handed after ruling out starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, and Cleveland took advantage with pressure defense and ball movement.
Still, the larger focus remained on Harden’s arrival and what it could mean for Cleveland’s playoff ceiling.
Harden is an MVP, three-time scoring champion, 11-time All-Star, and member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Yet one major accomplishment remains missing: an NBA title.
That is why Cleveland made the trade. The Cavaliers already had a strong core, but they wanted postseason experience and offensive control in high-pressure moments.
Saturday’s historic scoring climb was an individual milestone, but for Cleveland, the bigger goal is still ahead. The Cavaliers did not acquire Harden to chase records. They acquired him to help chase a championship.
James Harden Surpasses Larry Bird With Historic NBA Playoff Scoring Milestone