The Cleveland Cavaliers are one loss away from elimination in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals, and after Saturday night’s 121-108 Game 3 defeat to the New York Knicks, James Harden pointed to one issue repeatedly: shot-making.
Following the loss at Rocket Arena, Harden said Cleveland’s inability to convert open opportunities has shaped a series that now has the Cavaliers trailing 3-0.
“Got to make some shots,” Harden said when asked what it will take to beat New York. “I feel like we haven’t really made shots since the first couple quarters in Game 1. You got to make shots, not just this team, any team.”
The veteran guard finished with 19 points, five assists and six turnovers in 41 minutes, while Cleveland shot 12-for-41 from 3-point range and just 12-for-19 at the foul line. The Cavaliers also struggled to control the pace as New York shot 55.8% from the field and placed five players in double figures.
Harden said the Knicks’ tempo became one of the biggest reasons Cleveland struggled to settle into the game.
“They played a little bit faster,” Harden said. “We never could really get a grip on the game. We had times where we played well on both ends of the ball, but more times than not they just played a little bit faster. They made some shots.”
The third-seeded Knicks, led by 30 points from Jalen Brunson and 22 from Mikal Bridges, controlled the game from the opening minutes and never trailed. OG Anunoby added 21 points, while New York moved within one victory of its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
Cleveland briefly tied the score at 50 on a Harden jumper in the second quarter, but New York responded with a 10-1 run and maintained control. Landry Shamet later stretched the lead in the fourth quarter by making three 3-pointers in a 99-second span.
Harden acknowledged the Cavaliers’ playoff workload — two consecutive seven-game series against Toronto and Detroit before facing New York — may have impacted rhythm, while also refusing to make excuses.
“No excuses, but in reality yeah, definitely you can see it,” Harden said when asked whether the schedule affected the team’s rhythm. “A lot of open shots that we got opportunities to make. We just not making them and that’s a part of the game.”
He added: “You make shots, it’s a little bit easier. When you miss them, it’s a little bit more difficult.”
Even with the shooting slump, Harden said Cleveland remains confident heading into Game 4 on Monday despite the pressure of a 3-0 deficit.
“We’re still confident. Confidence is never going away,” Harden said. “We’re more than capable. We just need some things to shift and make some shots so the series turns around.”
Harden also tied Cleveland’s offensive struggles to its defensive problems, particularly against a Knicks offense built around Brunson’s playmaking and spacing from Karl-Anthony Towns.
“When you’re not making shots you put more pressure on your defense, so you’re going to be on defense much more,” Harden said. “If we can make some shots it gives our defense a chance to get back and set up in half court.”
Asked whether New York deserves credit for Cleveland’s poor shooting, Harden kept the focus on his own locker room.
“I think it’s on us,” Harden said. “We’re open.”
