James Harden injury update: Is Cavaliers star playing tonight against Bucks?

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without one of their biggest midseason additions on Wednesday night. The team confirmed that James Harden will not suit up against the Milwaukee Bucks after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb during Tuesday’s win over the New York Knicks. The injury affects his non-shooting hand, yet Cleveland is choosing caution on the second night of a back-to-back.

Harden’s absence comes at a delicate time. The Cavaliers are also missing Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, leaving a thin rotation heading into an Eastern Conference matchup in Milwaukee. While the veteran guard plans to play through the injury long term, the team is managing swelling and pain before clearing him for full action.

The latest James Harden injury update confirms he is out against the Bucks. Earlier in the day, ESPN insider Shams Charania provided clarity on the situation. “There’s going to be a lot of managing of the pain through treatment over the next few days,” Charania said on NBA Today. “He might sit tonight in Milwaukee to let that thumb calm down.”

Further evaluation brought encouraging news. “James Harden has been evaluated by a hand specialist, and I’m told he plans to play through that fracture in his right thumb moving forward,” Charania reported on NBA Today.

“No surgery is required, so he will be playing on. ” The update from the team on X revealed that Harden was listed as questionable.

Harden addressed the bigger picture after Tuesday’s victory. “We got what, 25 games? I think we can get there,” Harden said. “Matter of fact, I know we can get there. I think it’s going to start defensively because offensively we can have six guys in double figures. Defensive is going to be key. If we can really hone in defensively and get stops, we’re going to be very, very tough.”

With Harden sidelined, Cleveland is expected to rely heavily on Jarrett Allen, Dennis Schroder, Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, and Keon Ellis. The projected lineup places added playmaking pressure on Schroder while Allen anchors the paint.

Since arriving from the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden has made an immediate impact. In seven games with Cleveland, he is averaging 18.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds. The Cavaliers have gone 6–1 in that span, climbing firmly into the Eastern Conference race.

His shooting efficiency and ball control have stabilized late-game possessions. Even with a fractured thumb, the expectation remains that Harden will continue contributing once cleared.