James Harden Clears the Air After Postgame Ice Wrap Raises Injury Concern
James Harden gave Cavaliers fans a quick scare after Game 3, but he did not sound worried at all. Harden was seen with his hand wrapped in ice after the matchup against the Pistons, which naturally raised some concern about a possible injury.
When asked about it postgame, though, Harden brushed it off with a joke, saying he was not dealing with anything serious and was just trying to "stay younger." For Cleveland, that was the update everyone wanted to hear as the series continues.
James Harden on his left hand wrapped in ice:
— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) May 9, 2026
"Nah, I'm not dealing with anything. Just a little older so I just gotta make sure I can stay younger." pic.twitter.com/6UInZPl1t6
In the post-game press conference when asked about the ice wrap. Harden assured fans saying, "Nah, I'm not dealing with anything. Just a little older so I just gotta make sure I can stay younger."
A Closer Look at Game Three Between the Cavs and Pistons
Cleveland finally got the late-game response it had been waiting for.
After letting the first two games slip away in ugly fashion, the Cavaliers steadied themselves in Game 3 and pulled out a 116-109 win over Detroit. The Pistons still lead the series 2-1, but this felt like a much-needed reset for a Cavs team that had been under serious pressure.
Donovan Mitchell was the main engine for Cleveland, finishing with 35 points and 10 rebounds, but the game swung on two other players making timely plays. Max Strus had a quiet scoring night, yet his fourth-quarter steal changed the whole mood. He read Detroit's inbound pass perfectly, took it the other way, and gave Cleveland the lead at the exact moment it needed one.
Then came James Harden's answer. After taking heat for his struggles late in Games 1 and 2, Harden came through with several huge buckets in the closing stretch. He knocked down tough shots in rhythm, kept Cleveland ahead, and hit the dagger three that finally gave the Cavs room to breathe.
Cade Cunningham had a strong all-around night for Detroit with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but his late mistakes opened the door. Now Cleveland has made it a series again, and Game 4 suddenly carries a very different feel.
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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 6:00 AM.