Worldwide Sports News

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has been released from jail in Houston after being arrested on Saturday morning for unlawfully carrying a weapon.

Harden was detained by a police officer at 03:41 local time after an unconcealed handgun was spotted in the cup holder of his Mercedes, according to court records.

The 36-year-old had been travelling through downtown Houston when he was stopped by the police, and the weapon was spotted when Harden drove up behind another vehicle.

Harden was arrested and booked at Harris County Jail after confirming the gun was his, and was later released on a $100 (£75) bond, with a court date scheduled for 22 June.

The Cavaliers said they were "aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information".

The statement added: "We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment."

A six-time first-team All-NBA selection and the 2017-18 league MVP (Most Valuable Player), Harden joined the Cavaliers in February as part of a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

He averaged 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 26 starts this season with his new side.

Since entering the NBA as the third pick in the 2009 draft, Harden has played for Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets, the Brooklyn Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers and the Cavaliers.

The New York Knicks are one step away from basketball immortality and winning the NBA Finals for the first time since 1973.

It’s been a long time coming for the Knicks and their fandom, especially considering the fact that most of them have never seen a team this close to the championship.

There was the seven-game series back in 1994 where they fell just short against the Houston Rockets, and in 1999 when they took the eighth seed and ran with it all the way to the Finals, losing to the San Antonio Spurs. However, this year just feels different.

The team’s comeback in Game 4 against the Spurs gave “team of destiny” vibes, and it will almost certainly be the shining moment should the Knicks finish the job and win the series.

However, history remembers the champions far more than the runner-ups. As of now, the Knicks do not have the championship secured; they need one more win to clinch. Champions are remembered forever, especially in New York City for a franchise that hasn’t seen it in over half of a century.

A win will lift the legacies of players like Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, both of whom have carried the Knicks to victory three times in the first four games. Brunson may even secure a Hall of Fame berth should he lead the Knicks to a title this season.

The Knicks have tasted glory at times throughout the last 50+ years, especially the past three with deep playoff runs. But now, they are on the doorstep of greatness. They just need to take one more step to feel that glory.

One thing is clear: The Phoenix Suns are searching for more help around Devin Booker. Whether that comes from internal development or acquiring talent, team owner Mat Ishbia has made it abundantly clear that the mission is to build another contender around the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

Since the departure of Chris Paul back in 2023, Booker has taken on both point guard and shooting responsibilities, which is why it’s no surprise to see the amount of discourse there’s been about adding a full-time point guard next to him in the starting lineup to get him back to playing the position he did when he was All-NBA First Team during the 2021-2022 campaign.

One player who could perfectly complement Booker in the backcourt is Jrue Holiday.

The two have played alongside each other for Team USA in 2021 and 2024 in the Olympics, and matched up against each other often when the Milwaukee Bucks and Suns played in the Finals back in 2021. Holiday is a two-time champion, multi-time All-Star, six-time defense and has just averaged his most points and assists per game since 2022 for the Portland Trail Blazers.

An elite defender and ball handler, Holiday has experience setting up some of the NBA’s top scorers. He was Giannis Antetokounmpo’s point guard during some of the Greek Freak’s best seasons and recently helped first-time All-Star Deni Avdija average a career high in points per game. Playing alongside other playmakers, he is comfortable taking a backseat on offense if it’s for the betterment of the team. Multiple times throughout his career, he’s moved over to play shooting guard if it’s for the betterment of the team. When he was with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017, he took a backseat and played the two guard spot so Rajon Rondo could run the offense, and he did the same from 2023-2025 when he played for the Boston Celtics so Derrick White could play point.

When it comes to his ability to make big plays when it matters most? Well, the NBA’s YouTube Channel has a great highlight reel of some of his most clutch defensive plays, but I think one play speaks out about his ability to perform when he’s needed most, more than others, especially to Suns fans…

Holiday’s ability to play his best in the big moments, combined with his malleability, makes him an ideal fit next to Booker. While he just turned 36, we’ve continued to see guards play at high levels late into their 30s. Just look at what Chris Paul did in Phoenix.

For any deal to happen, Phoenix would likely have to trade Jalen Green, which seems unlikely. Additionally, Damian Lillard is set to return next season after missing the year with a torn Achilles, and Scoot Henderson showed some promise during Portland’s playoff run. The Suns likely don’t have the draft capital to give the Blazers to make adding Green worth it. If the Blazers were to trade Holiday, it appears they’d do it for a player that wasn’t a guard to free up more space in the backcourt, or to a team that could give them more lucrative draft capital.

No one should expect Holiday to be a Sun next season, but the idea of pairing Booker alongside an elite defender who plays his best during the biggest moments is tantalizing.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested in Harris County, Texas, early Saturday morning. He was charged with a misdemeanor for unlawfully carrying weapons. This was first reported by TMZ.

According to Harris County’s records, Harden was arrested for “intentionally and knowingly” carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle owned by Harden and in “plain view.” The arrest occurred at 3:41 A.M. on Saturday, June 26. He was booked at 4:57 A.M. that same day.

Harden has been charged with a misdemeanor for unlawful carrying weapons. He has been released on bail, but needs to submit to the following requirements at this time:

• Harden cannot possess firearms, ammunition, or other weapons.
• He must submit to random urinalysis.
• He is “prohibited from using, possessing, or consuming any alcohol, controlled substances, dangerous drug, or marijuana unless prescribed” by a doctor.

Harden is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, June 22nd.

This issue is likely to be resolved relatively quickly. Harden was only charged with a misdemeanor, which is not a serious charge.

The Cavs released the following statement on Saturday afternoon:

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”

The Cavs traded for Harden at the beginning of February. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season, but is expected to decline that option and seek a longer-term contract with the Cavs in the upcoming off-season.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested for misdemeanor gun possession early Saturday morning in Harris County, Texas.

He was “intentionally and knowingly” carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle that he owned. The handgun was in plain view and not carried in a holster. He was arrested at 3:41 AM on Saturday and was booked at 4:57 AM. He was released on bail and is scheduled for court later this month.

The Cavs released the following statement about Harden’s arrest on Saturday afternoon:

The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.

The Cavs acquired Harden at the trade deadline last February. He played in 26 regular-season games and 18 playoff games. He averaged 23.6 points and eight assists on .434/.375/.884 shooting splits in 70 games combined with the Los Angeles Clippers and Cavs last regular season.

Harden has a player option for the 2026-27 season that is worth $42.3 million. At this time, he’s expected to decline that option and sign for a longer deal with Cleveland. After the season, Harden said he “100%” wants to be back with the Cavs.