James Harden showed out on his debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. After signing with the Los Angeles Clippers before the NBA trade deadline, Harden scored 23 points, 8 assists, with 5 3-pointers made in the Cavaliers’ 126-132 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Harden was sent to the Cavaliers in a deal that sent Darius Garland to the Clippers before the NBA trade deadline. Both teams decided to swap point guards, with Garland being exchanged for Harden in a deal that also sent a 2026 second-round pick to the Clippers.
Travis Scott Crashes James Harden’s Postgame Interview After Cavs Debut
Following his performance tonight, Harden was swarmed by an invading Travis Scott following the Cavaliers’ victory over the Kings tonight. Scott and the Cleveland star have shared multiple moments together throughout James Harden’s 17-year career.
“We’re going to the young! What are we doing? … What the f–k?” The rapper swarmed the Cavaliers’ stars’ interview following the game. Additionally, alongside Harden, his new teammate Donovan Mitchell was also on the sidelines to see Scott’s invasion.
TRAVIS SCOTT CRASHES JAMES HARDEN’S POST-GAME INTERVIEW. 🤣🔥
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 8, 2026
Tonight’s post-game moment was not the first time Scott and Harden have appeared together. In fact, the two have been friends for several years, with multiple appearances together. The rapper previously gave a speech at Harden’s 2024 birthday party.
“To the greatest human of all time, if you don’t leave this place having the best time of your life, or wasted in your life, or off of water, or off of Sprite, then we cannot be friends after this. This is my greatest friend of all time,” Scott stated in his speech.
Throughout his 17-year NBA career, Harden has done almost all of it. An 11-time All-Star, an MVP award in 2018, among many other honors and records. However, he is still chasing his first NBA championship at 36, entering his 17th season.
“As a basketball mind, I think we have a bit better chance. I’m excited about Cleveland. I’m still trying to chase my first championship and do whatever it takes to win. In Cleveland, I see an opportunity to win in the East, they got a very good team, coaching staff,” Harden shared.
Following tonight’s victory, the Cavaliers currently sit in 4th in the Eastern Conference, behind the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, and the New York Knicks. However, their odds rose following the announcement of their trade for James Harden.
“We want the same thing. We both want a championship. So, at the end of the day, we’re shooting for the same goals, and we have to go about trying to win at a high level,” Harden’s teammate, Mitchell, stated following the trade.
Whether the reports about Mitchell playing a role in the Harden trade were true or not, the two linking up has significantly increased Cleveland’s hopes. The two combined for 58 points in tonight’s victory over the Kings.
