This James Harden injury concern emerges at the worst possible time for Cavaliers

Fedor added that it “sounded as if there was an ice bag on his left hand.” However, the team has not issued an official injury status for Harden ahead of Game 3.

The timing is terrible for Cleveland. Harden, 36, struggled in Game 2, finishing with just 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting. He missed all four of his three-point attempts and turned the ball over four times, including a giveaway in the final minute that ended the Cavs' comeback hopes.

His run in the fourth quarter was very disappointing. Harden didn't score, took only one shot, and finished with a game-high -15 plus/minus. Two games into this series, he has 11 turnovers compared to his nine baskets.

Despite promising to limit mistakes after Game 1, his play didn't improve. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson took responsibility for the lack of offense, saying, "We can't have our Hall of Famer take two shots in the second half."

While Donovan Mitchell’s 31 points kept the game close for three quarters, Cleveland’s offense stalled in the fourth by relying too much on isolation plays. If the reports of Harden’s left-hand injury are true, Cleveland's chances of winning this series will become absolutely slim.

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