Not only did the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors in Game 2, but James Harden also made NBA history.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden made NBA history in the Game 2 win against the Toronto Raptors on Monday.
Harden passed Rajon Rondo on the NBA's all-time postseason assists list.
Harden played 35 minutes against the Raptors in Game 2. He finished with 28 points and four assists while shooting 9-of-14 from the field, 3-of-8 from beyond the arc and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.
The Cavaliers are two wins away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Harden and Co. are in complete control of this series against the Raptors.
Cleveland acquired Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Darius Garland trade. With Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen leading the way, the Cavaliers are under major pressure to win the championship this season, given how expensive the roster is.
Harden has a player option for next season worth $42.3 million. However, his salary is guaranteed only at $13.3 million. According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, Harden will decline his 2026-27 player option and become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
"Harden has a $42 million player option for next season that heâs likely to decline, a league source said," Katz wrote. "But a longer-term deal at a lesser number still would not be cheap. With todayâs rules, with the way high payrolls chip away at resources and wallets, teams canât stay so expensive while continuing to lose in the second round."
Harden went to the NBA Finals in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also reached the Western Conference Finals twice with the Houston Rockets. The future Hall of Famer is looking to win his first NBA title.
Most people expect the Cavaliers to re-sign Harden in free agency. However, if Cleveland fails in the 2026 playoffs, Mitchell could be traded and Harden could walk.
Under his current contract, Mitchell can hit free agency in 2027. The All-Star can sign an extension with Cleveland this offseason.
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