Harden misses loss to Bucks after being diagnosed with thumb fracture

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 19: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 19, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE
Lauren Leigh Bacho / National Basketball Association / Getty

Cleveland Cavaliers star James Harden suffered a non-displaced fracture to his right thumb and missed Wednesday's 118-116 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Harden suffered the injury to his non-shooting hand during Tuesday's 109-94 win over the New York Knicks. He's still undergoing treatment and evaluation. The Cavaliers said his status would be updated "as appropriate."

Harden doesn't require surgery and was initially planning to play through the injury, reports ESPN's Shams Charania.

The 36-year-old guard has averaged 18.9 points and eight assists in seven games since the Cavaliers acquired him from the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 4.

Cleveland has won six of its seven games with Harden in the lineup. The team remained fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 37-23 record following Wednesday's defeat.

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