James Harden booed in return to Philadelphia with Cavaliers

James Harden, an 11-time All-Star, faced a chilly reception during his first game with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2026-27 NBA season. Fans of the Philadelphia 76ers were far from welcoming as they loudly booed when Harden started the game. His teammate, Jarrett Allen, supported him by tipping the ball back, and Harden began the game with a series of jeers from the crowd.

The boos continued when Harden was fouled at the 9:19 mark and had to shoot free throws. He missed the first free throw but made the second, demonstrating his resilience despite the hostile environment. Harden, who recently signed a three-year, $97 million extension with the Cavaliers, had previously played for the 76ers from 2021 to 2023.