Is James Harden playing tonight? Cleveland Cavaliers star listed as questionable after worrying thumb fracture ahead of Pistons clash

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to recover from their Wednesday night loss to the Milwaukee Bucks when they visit Detroit on Friday night to play the Pistons. But that was just a few days after the Cavaliers revealed that James Harden, their point guard, had broken his thumb.

Keon Ellis, another Cavaliers guard who was acquired earlier this month, was rumored to have suffered a finger fracture on Friday morning. Harden has participated in seven games since joining the Cavaliers, averaging 18.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per contest. The two teams will play each other for the third time this season.

James Harden listed as questionable as injury-hit Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for Detroit Pistons showdown

A right groin issue has sidelined Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, a consistent All-Star.

In Friday morning's injury report, guard James Harden, fractured right thumb, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers around the trade deadline, is listed as questionable.Harden's right thumb fracture has led to his current injury report listing him as questionable. Due to the injury, Harden was unable to play in Cleveland's defeat by the Bucks. We'll update his status before tipoff for the game against the Pistons.

Whoever prevails on Friday night will have an advantage in the season series because they have split their last two meetings. Additionally, the teams will play again in Cleveland on Tuesday of next week. Ellis and Harden's fractured finger club will be considered questionable for Friday night's game against the Detroit Pistons, who lead the East. The injury designation for Dean Wade and Dennis Schroeder, both nursing ankle sprains, will be the same.

The Pistons game already has starting guard Donovan Mitchell listed as out. Since all ten of Mitchell's fingers appear to be devoid of fractures, he is the exception in this case. Mitchell is unable to play due to a strained groin.Guards Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson, Craig Porter Jr., and Tyrese Proctor should probably keep their hands in their pockets or even glove up for the next few hours until Friday night's 7:00 pm tip, as it appears to be a busy week for the fractured finger club.

James Harden could see bigger offensive role at Cleveland Cavaliers

In nine games with Cleveland, Ellis has averaged 6.4 points, 1.6 steals, a block, and nearly two assists per game in less than 22 minutes of action. He’s arguably been Cleveland’s best perimeter defender in that same span. According to FantasyLabs, Harden has the second-highest usage rate on the team when Mitchell is not playing, at 27.8%. The 6'5" guard might have a significant impact if active, since his usage rate increases by +4.3% when Mitchell is not playing. In addition, Harden has a 48.8% 3-point percentage while wearing a Cavaliers uniform and ranks third in Cleveland's rotation with 5.9 3-point attempts per game. The Pistons are 23rd in the league for 3-point shot distribution, per Dunks & Threes.