Harden Admits Cavs Still Have Issues Despite Recent Success

Veteran guard says team needs to be more professional and close out games better.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 7:56am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Despite the Cleveland Cavaliers' recent strong play, veteran guard James Harden acknowledged that the team still has problems it needs to resolve. Harden was unhappy with how the Cavaliers nearly blew a 29-point lead against the Chicago Bulls, only winning by 5 points. He said the team needs to be more professional and do a better job of closing out games earlier.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers were expected to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season, but they stumbled out of the gate. While they have recovered and been impressive lately, Harden's comments suggest the team still has work to do to reach its full potential and solidify its status as a contender.

The details

In the Cavaliers' narrow win over the Bulls, they built a 29-point lead but were outscored 37-22 in the fourth quarter, leading to just a 5-point victory. Harden, who had 36 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists, was critical of the team's lack of professionalism and inability to close out the game earlier.

  • The Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.

The players

James Harden

A veteran guard who recently joined the Cavaliers and is a key part of their roster.

Kenny Atkinson

The head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's not good enough. We gotta be more professional. We have to do a better job in closing that game out a lot earlier. We got off to a slow start and got off to that 29-point lead, and we started being careless, so we just gotta be better.”

— James Harden, Cavaliers Guard

The takeaway

Harden's comments highlight that even as the Cavaliers have turned their season around, they still have room for improvement to become a true contender in the Eastern Conference. The team needs to play with more discipline and focus to consistently close out games, an issue that could hold them back if not addressed.