‘Grateful’ James Harden leads Cleveland Cavaliers into battle with Orlando Magic
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden bringing the ball up court during the 115-101 NBA win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Arena on March 9, 2026.
PHOTO: IMAGN IMAGES
ORLANDO – Cleveland Cavaliers point guard James Harden reached another career milestone, becoming the ninth member of the 29,000-point club on March 9 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
His quest to reach 30,000 begins on March 11 (March 12, Singapore time), when the Cavaliers hit the road to play the Orlando Magic.
“The Beard” put together another efficient game in the 115-101 home win over Philadelphia, totalling 21 points. It was his sixth 20-point game since joining the Cavaliers in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“The Cavs gave me an opportunity to go out and showcase my game, so I’m grateful,” said Harden, who has 29,017 points in 17 seasons. “It’s a testament to the hard work I’ve put in over the years.”
Harden is averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds through 11 games with the Cavaliers, who have won 18 of their last 24.
All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell continues to score at a career-high pace of 28.4 points per game, combining with Harden to form arguably the most dynamic backcourt in the league.
“I love the communication they’ve shown and I think James said it best,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “They’re both desperate to win. I’m pleased so far.”
The Cavaliers are 2-0 against the Magic this season with Mitchell averaging 40.5 points. Paolo Banchero leads Orlando at 32.0 points in the series, continuing a one-on-one rivalry that began in the 2024 post-season, when Cleveland won a seven-game series.
Power forward Banchero has been on a roll since the All-Star break, with four 30-point games. He scored 33 points on March 8 as the Magic mauled the Milwaukee Bucks 130-91 on the road.
“Offensively, we’ve been finding our flow,” Banchero said. “I’m just going out there and being aggressive. When we’re able to get stops and get off the glass and run, I think we find real good shots.”
Meanwhile, in NBA action on March 10, Victor Wembanyama scored 39 points as the red-hot San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Boston Celtics 125-116.
Devin Booker scored 27 points and dished out seven assists while leading the Phoenix Suns to a 129-114 victory over the Bucks. Phoenix sank a season-high 24 three-pointers (on 51 attempts).
Jalen Duren scored 26 points in three quarters and Cade Cunningham collected 21 points and 15 assists as the Detroit Pistons seized control early on, stopping a season-worst four-game skid with a wire-to-wire 138-100 road rout of the Brooklyn Nets.
In other news, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has been fined US$50,000 (S$63,600) for an “inappropriate and unprofessional” gesture towards a referee in the home win over the New York Knicks on March 8, the NBA said on March 10.
Doncic thought Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara should have been assessed an offensive charge foul in the third quarter. Instead the Slovenian star, who was knocked to the floor, was whistled for a blocking foul.
He was sprawled on his back when he looked at the closest game official and rubbed his fingers together, seemingly indicating the referee was paid off.
REUTERS, AFP
