The Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets are set to close out their regular-season series in dramatic fashion on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. With tipoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, this Eastern Conference matchup carries heightened intrigue, not only because of the contrasting fortunes of both teams but also due to the swirling injury concerns that have defined their recent stretches.
The Cavaliers enter the contest with a strong 37-24 record, sitting comfortably in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Their recent form, however, has been tested by adversity. Star guards James Harden and Donovan Mitchell have both been fixtures on the injury report throughout the week, casting a shadow over Cleveland’s ambitions to sweep the Nets in the season series. The Cavaliers’ last two outings, both losses, came without the services of either Harden or Mitchell. They fell 118-116 to the Milwaukee Bucks on February 25 and then suffered a 122-119 overtime defeat at the hands of the Detroit Pistons on February 27.
But the big news for Sunday is that James Harden, diagnosed earlier in the week with a right thumb fracture, has been cleared to play. Harden had been listed as questionable, but after a successful individual workout at the NBA Players Association facility in Manhattan on Saturday and a productive pregame warmup at Barclays Center, his status was upgraded to available. According to a team source, "By the time Sunday’s workout concluded, Harden’s playing status changed from questionable to available." Harden will suit up against one of his former teams, providing a much-needed boost to a Cavaliers squad that has gone just 2-4 without Donovan Mitchell this season.
Harden’s return is especially welcome given his impact since joining Cleveland at the trade deadline. Acquired in exchange for Darius Garland, the 11-time All-Star has wasted no time making his presence felt. In his first seven games with the Cavaliers, Harden has averaged 18.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 49% from the field and 48% from three-point range. The team is 6-1 with Harden in the lineup, a testament to how seamlessly he has fit alongside Mitchell—when healthy—and the rest of the Cavaliers’ core.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell remains sidelined with a groin injury, and he will not be available for the matchup against Brooklyn. The Cavaliers are also without Max Strus (foot) and Dean Wade (ankle), while reserve guard Keon Ellis, who has a fractured left index finger, will play through the injury. Ellis, another midseason acquisition, has been averaging 5.7 points in 21.6 minutes across nine games for Cleveland.
On the other side, the Brooklyn Nets have endured a season to forget. With a record of 15-44, they languish in 14th place in the East and are currently mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak. The Nets have managed just five wins in 2026, none of them particularly impressive, and their recent performances have left fans frustrated. Most recently, Brooklyn suffered a 148-111 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, marking the fifth time in their last six games that they've lost by double digits. The Nets have allowed at least 123 points in each of their past three games, and the over has cashed in eight of their last eleven contests.
Injuries have also plagued Brooklyn. Rookie standout Egor Demin remains out with a heel injury, and Nic Claxton is questionable with a thumb issue. The Nets will look to Michael Porter Jr., who led the team with 18 points in their most recent outing, and their young frontcourt of Noah Clowney and Claxton (if available) to steady the ship. Former Cavaliers draft pick Ochai Agbaji and Porter Jr. combined for 27 points in their previous meeting with Cleveland.
The Cavaliers have dominated the season series so far, winning both previous encounters. On February 19, Cleveland routed Brooklyn 112-84 at Rocket Arena, with Mitchell scoring 17 points and Harden contributing 16 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Jarrett Allen added 15 points and 10 rebounds in that contest. The first meeting, back in October, saw the Cavaliers prevail 131-124. Sunday’s game presents Cleveland with the opportunity for a clean sweep, a feat that would further cement their status as one of the East’s top teams despite recent setbacks.
From a betting perspective, Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point favorite according to DraftKings Sportsbook, with the moneyline set at -600 for the Cavaliers and +425 for the Nets. The total is pegged at 222.5 points. While the Cavaliers have covered the spread in just two of their last five outings, the Nets have failed to cover in each of their last seven games. Analysts are predicting a 116-109 victory for Cleveland, but caution that the injuries to key players make this far from a sure thing. As one preview put it, "Cleveland is anything but a sure thing, even against the lowly Nets, without leading scorer Spida Mitchell, and, perhaps, Harden joining him on the shelf again, too."
For Cleveland, the key will be how well Harden can perform through the pain of his fractured thumb. He showed no visible limitations during his pregame warmup, but the true test will come under the bright lights of Barclays Center. The Cavaliers will likely lean on their accomplished frontcourt, featuring Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, to provide interior scoring and defense. Veteran point guard Dennis Schroder and sharpshooter Sam Merrill will also be expected to step up in the absence of Mitchell.
The Nets, meanwhile, will try to snap their losing streak and salvage some pride in front of their home fans. With the season winding down and little left to play for in terms of playoff positioning, Brooklyn’s young core will be eager to prove themselves against a playoff-bound team. The absence of Egor Demin puts more pressure on Michael Porter Jr. to carry the offensive load, while Brooklyn’s porous defense remains a glaring weakness.
As tipoff approaches, all eyes are on James Harden and how his return will shape the outcome. Will Harden’s resilience and playmaking be enough to lift the Cavaliers past a struggling Nets squad? Or will Brooklyn, desperate for a win, catch Cleveland off guard? With the Cavaliers looking to bounce back from consecutive losses and the Nets hoping to end their skid, Sunday’s matchup promises plenty of storylines and no shortage of intensity.
The stage is set at Barclays Center for a matchup defined by comebacks—both from injury and from adversity. As the action unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see if the Cavaliers can overcome their recent struggles and complete a season sweep, or if the Nets can finally halt their slide and deliver a surprise on home court. One thing’s for sure: with Harden back in the mix, the drama is just getting started.