Will James Harden Make Play in Cavs vs. Clippers? Insider Shares Debut Date

It would be absolute cinema if Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was able to make his team debut against the Los Angeles Clippers, who just dealt him for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, when the two teams meet up tonight for their annual meeting at the Intuit Dome.

Unfortunately for those wanting that to happen, Harden will not be available for the team's game against his former Clippers squad. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Harden could make his Cavs debut as early as Saturday against the Sacramento Kings.

"11-time NBA All-Star James Harden — if acclimation goes as planned — is expected to make his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, sources say," Haynes tweeted.

11-time NBA All-Star James Harden — if acclimation goes as planned — is expected to make his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, sources say.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 4, 2026

Harden Could Make Debut vs. Kings

While the trade has been made official by both teams, it appears that it will take some time for Harden to get acclimated with the Cavs, so he is taking a few days before suiting up with the team for the first time.

Bleacher Report writer Dan Favale wasn't a fan of the trade, giving the Cavs a "D+" for their reasoning behind the deal.

"Charitable interpretations will point to Cleveland being much better with Garland off the floor. This is the first time in his career that's ever been true," Favale wrote. "Unless there's a more sinister update on his big toe or another injury, this wreaks of foul-smelling desperation. (Or a supercharged bet on Jaylon Tyson, which to be honest, I'd respect.)

"The Cavs, of course, have every incentive to be desperate. Donovan Mitchell might not stick around if this team vomits out another early playoff exit. Harden will allow him to ferry much lighter playmaking and on-ball workloads and should develop punishing chemistry with both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

"Even with all of this in mind, it's still too short term for my tastes. Harden asked out of L.A. because he wants a longer deal. If this is a sign the Cavs will give it to him, when he turns 37 in August, yeesh. If it's instead a signal that they prefer the financial flexibility of his partially guaranteed player option this summer ($13.3 million) to the two years and $87.1 million left on Garland's deal, well then that's a double-triple-quadruple yikes."

As for Garland, he is still dealing with a toe injury that has kept him out for the last nine games. That will keep him out for the team's first game with the Clippers.

In the meantime, the Cavs and Clippers are scheduled to tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET inside the Intuit Dome. Fans can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network or stream it on NBA League Pass.