CLEVELAND — In his initial couple of appearances for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden demonstrated an ability to deliver crucial shots and pivotal defensive maneuvers during critical moments.
During his first game played on home court in Cleveland, Harden illustrated his capacity to act as a playmaker, allowing fellow team members to excel.
Harden accumulated 13 points and 11 assists across 28 minutes during the Cavaliers’ 138-113 triumph against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday evening. Despite making just 1 of 4 attempts from the floor, he successfully converted 10 of 12 free throws.
“As I informed them, I will adapt. We will make mutual adjustments, but primarily, I will participate alongside you all and continue with your current strategies, and I will discover my role as they have,” Harden stated. “Thus, even this evening, I took merely four shots, yet we secured a 25-point victory. That holds paramount importance. And Sam [Merrill] finds his rhythm. My sole purpose here is to achieve victory.
“Therefore, regardless of the approach—whether I need to step onto the court and accrue numerous points, or if I must take only four shots and we emerge victorious—that remains my utmost priority. This evening served as a prime illustration of that.”
Supporters in Cleveland swiftly embraced Harden. The Cavaliers distributed replica beards on sticks to the capacity audience, and Harden received a thunderous ovation upon his introduction during the pre-game warm-up session.
“The spectators are consistently fervent. Whenever I visit as an opponent, they exhibit immense passion for, you know, the Cavs and ‘The Land,’ demonstrating exceptional loyalty by appearing every single evening,” he commented. “This was among the aspects I was most eager for. Therefore, this night was consistent with that anticipation.”
On February 3, Harden’s transfer from the LA Clippers to Cleveland was finalized. During his inaugural appearance for the Cavaliers on February 7 in Sacramento, he netted 17 of his total 23 points in the final quarter, contributing to a 132-126 triumph over the Kings.
In Monday’s match in Denver, Harden successfully landed a three-point shot to equalize the score just prior to Donovan Mitchell sinking two free throws, enabling the Cavaliers to secure a 119-117 comeback win.
However, Wednesday’s contest demonstrated that Harden retains the capability to significantly influence the game, even without frequently attempting shots. His tally of 11 assists directly resulted in 26 points.
Merrill, achieving a personal best of 32 points, sank six field goals facilitated by Harden’s deliveries, encompassing four three-pointers, accounting for 16 points.
“The majority of teams execute comparable plays, so much of it boils down to comprehending the terminology,” Merrill remarked. “Today, we observed video segments showcasing our potential offensive strategies, and several of those clips were from the Clippers, allowing us to gauge James’s actions.”
Harden has achieved two double-doubles across his three outings with Cleveland, notably grabbing 10 rebounds when facing the Nuggets.
Despite Harden’s presence in the roster, Mitchell’s point production remains undiminished. The All-Star guard has recorded a minimum of 30 points in each of the last three consecutive games.
“He perceives the game from an elevated perspective,” Mitchell commented. “I had not realized he attempted only four shots, yet he’s on the court initiating offense, executing plays, performing various tasks, and furthermore, his drawing power naturally clears pathways for all other players, and this effect is constant. He also provides guidance from the bench during timeouts, which underscores his value here.”
The Cavaliers have secured five consecutive victories and 10 out of their last 11 contests. Their record stands at 17-5 since December 29, representing the league’s top winning percentage of .773 during that period.
Cleveland has sustained its momentum even after integrating three new athletes—Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis—within the last fortnight, without the benefit of formal practice to facilitate their adjustment. Merrill observed that this has primarily involved video reviews and voluntary pre-game warm-ups, given the dense game schedule.
Head Coach Kenny Atkinson expressed anticipation for the approaching All-Star intermission, viewing it as an opportunity for respite while simultaneously evaluating methods for collective enhancement.
“I haven’t had the chance to delve into the specifics as thoroughly as I’d like to ascertain how best to deploy them. However, it’s evident they possess instant cohesion,” he stated. “We executed that particular play for Sam, I believe, eight times, and James was somewhat the mastermind behind it, conversing with Donovan. So I intend to review additional footage to discern how we can further assist him. But straight away, we’ve had it. Certain players truly grasp the intricacies of the sport.”
