Viral James Harden clip sums up Cavs’ woes in blowout vs. Hornets

James Harden has been far from his best form in the early stages of the 2026-27 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers. On Monday night, while facing the Charlotte Hornets, Harden's performance was subpar, averaging just 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on a shooting efficiency of 37/36/84. This lackluster display of effort, failing to be the superstar floor general Harden has been for the past 14 years, has become a wake-up call for the veteran Cavs team with championship aspirations.

The 124-112 loss to Charlotte is not solely on Harden's shoulders, but his performance did nothing to help the situation. One particularly egregious moment went viral, showcasing Harden's lack of effort both on the glass and defensively. After Grayson Allen missed a three-pointer, Harden went up for a rebound but was outjumped by Hornets' big man Ryan Kalkbrenner. However, instead of closing out on Kalkbrenner after the pass to Sion James, Harden stood idly by as Allen crashed the glass and eventually received a foul call.

As the Cavs were down by 16 points in the third quarter, Harden's lack of effort was made painfully clear. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged after the game that the Hornets played with more effort and energy. This viral clip of Harden sums up the Cavaliers' woes perfectly, reflecting the broader issues within the team.