CLEVELAND — James Harden is quickly proving that his impact on the Cleveland Cavaliers extends far beyond scoring. In just three games with his new team, the veteran guard is orchestrating an offensive resurgence, and more importantly, a winning streak. Wednesday night’s 138-113 victory over the Washington Wizards showcased Harden’s evolving role as a facilitator, a performance where he finished with 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes despite shooting just 1-of-4 from the field.
The box score might not immediately scream dominance, but Harden’s influence was palpable. His 11 assists led directly to 26 points for the Cavaliers, a testament to his court vision and passing ability. Sam Merrill, in particular, benefited from Harden’s playmaking, erupting for a career-high 32 points, fueled by six baskets – four of them three-pointers – directly off Harden passes. “Most teams run similar stuff, so a lot of it’s just figuring out the wording of it,” Merrill explained, highlighting the quick chemistry forming between the two players. “Today we’re watching clips of what we can do offensively and there’s three or four clips, it’s the Clippers and we’re just kind of seeing what James is doing.”
Harden’s arrival in Cleveland, secured in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers on February 3rd, was met with both excitement and skepticism. The trade sent Darius Garland to the Clippers, along with a 2026 second-round pick. Initial concerns about fit and Harden’s potential impact have begun to dissipate as the Cavaliers have rattled off five consecutive wins and 10 of their last 11 games. Their record since December 29th now stands at 17-5, giving them the league’s best winning percentage over that stretch at .773.
What’s particularly impressive is the Cavaliers’ ability to integrate Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis – all recent acquisitions – without a single full practice. The team has relied on film sessions and optional shootarounds to build cohesion amidst a demanding game schedule. “I haven’t been able to dive as deep as I want to and see how we can use them better,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson. “But you know, you can see they have immediate chemistry. We ran that one play for Sam, I don’t know, eight times and James was kind of the architect of that and him and Donovan talking. So I’ll try to look at more film, see how we can help him more. But right away we’ve had it. Some guys that really, really understand the game.”
Harden’s impact isn’t solely about assists. He’s already recorded two double-doubles in his three games as a Cavalier, grabbing 10 rebounds against the Denver Nuggets. Crucially, his presence hasn’t diminished the production of Donovan Mitchell, who has scored at least 30 points in three straight games. Mitchell acknowledged Harden’s unique perspective and leadership. “I mean he sees the game at a different level,” Mitchell said. “I didn’t notice he only had four shots, but he’s out here creating, making plays, doing different things and then obviously his gravity, it opens the lane for everybody else and it’s just continuous. And he’s coaching on the bench in huddles and that’s why he’s here.”
The Cavaliers’ success isn’t just about Harden’s individual contributions. it’s about his willingness to adapt and empower his teammates. He openly stated after Wednesday’s win, “Like I told them, I’ll figure it out. We’ll do some adjusting with each other, but for the most part, I’ll play with y’all and do what y’all been doing and I’ll find my way and they’ve been doing that.” He continued, emphasizing the team’s success over personal statistics, “So even tonight, I shoot four shots, but we win by 25 points. That’s the most important thing.”
The enthusiastic reception from Cleveland fans has also played a role in Harden’s seamless transition. The Cavaliers handed out beards on a stick to the sellout crowd, and Harden received a standing ovation during pregame warmups. “The crowd is always crazy,” Harden said. “Every time I come here as a visitor, they’re crazy about you know, the Cavs and The Land and very loyal and they show up every single night. It’s one of the things that I was mostly excited about. So tonight was no different.”
Harden’s debut with the Cavaliers on February 7th against the Sacramento Kings offered a glimpse of what’s to come. He scored 17 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, sealing a 132-126 victory. He followed that up with a game-tying three-pointer against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, setting the stage for a Donovan Mitchell game-winner. These moments demonstrate Harden’s ability to deliver in clutch situations, a quality the Cavaliers desperately needed.
As the Cavaliers head into the All-Star break, Coach Atkinson is looking forward to the opportunity to further refine the team’s strategy and maximize the potential of their new additions. The early returns are undeniably positive, suggesting that the risk of trading for James Harden was, a risk worth taking. The Cavaliers, with Harden at the helm, are quickly establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
