James Harden just dropped a season-high 32 points, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a big 115-107 victory over the New York Knicks. It was the kind of performance that makes you remember exactly why this guy is a three-time NBA scoring champ. And honestly, for a minute there, we all might have forgotten.
What Was Going On With The Beard?
Seriously, where had that James Harden been all season? Through 11 games, the dude was barely clearing 15 points a night, averaging just 15.3. That’s half of what he used to put up in his prime, back when he was dropping 30, 36, or even 34 points a season in Houston. His shooting percentage was grim, too, hitting only 34.6% from the field, which would be the absolute worst of his entire career. No wonder the Cavs were struggling at 5-6 in their first full season since picking him up from the Clippers. At 37 years old, people were starting to ask if he even had it anymore.
Harden himself acknowledges he is finding his way alongside fellow superstar Donovan Mitchell. He even said the criticism did not bother him, because he’s been there before. “I was averaging 36 and 35, whatever the case may be, people had something to say about that. ‘You can’t win like that,’” Harden told reporters. “So then I averaged 20-something, it’s like, ‘can’t win like that.’” He’s right, people always talk. For him, it is about getting in shape, learning his teammates, and playing a “different brand of basketball” because he admits he is “not the same fast person that I was like five or six years ago.” That’s real talk from a legend adapting his game.
A Global Superstar In Full Flight
Coach Kenny Atkinson isn’t even asking for the old “Houston Harden” who was just a scoring machine. He said Harden is cool with that, and honestly, we just needed *some* version of James Harden to show up. Atkinson had been seeing flashes, even if Harden had a rough couple of games right before this one, with only five baskets and six turnovers. But Wednesday, it all clicked. Harden was lights out, hitting 9 of 14 from the field and an incredible 5 of 7 from three-point range, including the dagger, a tiebreaking three with just 4:21 left on the clock. What a moment!
Atkinson even hinted that playing at Madison Square Garden, where Harden shares the opponent scoring record of 61 points with Kobe Bryant, might have fired him up. He called Harden a “global superstar” and those guys “love playing in New York.” It sure looked like it.
The Cavs are hoping this isn’t just a one-off performance. Atkinson has seen the rhythm building. “I could see flashes, and he’s getting back to his level, getting back into the top form. So it’s nice to see it confirmed tonight.” We sure hope so, coach. This team needs this James Harden.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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