James Harden’s nasty move has Raptors coach erupting on sidelines

The Cleveland Cavaliers walked into Game 2 ready to turn loose veteran James Harden. Including Kenny Atkinson creating more open shots for Harden against the Toronto Raptors. Harden indeed regained his shooting touch, but forced Darko Rajakovic to explode during their NBA Playoffs game Monday.

The Raptors head coach watched one of his own fall hard in front of Harden. He pleaded the refs to call a push off foul. But Harden sent Scottie Barnes into the shadow realm with this nasty move:

James Harden sent Scottie Barnes to the shadow realm then gets the friendly bounce on the three

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic was FURIOUS that no foul was called on Harden's push off.pic.twitter.com/IW5qC48Jcb

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 21, 2026

Fans became conflicted on if Harden should’ve been called for a foul. Most debated if he indeed pushed off on Barnes. This angle also presented the argument for Barnes, who raised his hands pleading for a call.

THE BALL WAS EVEN WITH THE SHOT CLOCK https://t.co/D85H6oLZcm pic.twitter.com/28vPyMGdtE

— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2026

Harden kept pouring on the shooting, though. He dusted off his vintage side in banking this 25-footer in beating the shot clock.

VINTAGE JAMES HARDEN

The Beard drains this absurd triple with Raptors defenders on him to beat the shot clock!pic.twitter.com/vf6blgVkX4

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 21, 2026

He then hit NBA history, moving to seventh all-time on the league’s assist list and passing Rajon Rondo.

Congrats to @JHarden13 of the @cavs for moving up to 7th on the all-time playoff ASSISTS list!

NBA Playoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/xn4WcHvVCl

— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2026

Harden continues to defy age on the floor in his latest postseason appearance. He dropped 21 points in his first 25 minutes on 8-of-12 field goals. Harden also nailed three from behind the arc out of seven attempts.

The 36-year-old perennial NBA All-Star started this series erupting for 22 points in Game 1. He also dished out 10 assists for the double-double in helping set the tone for the Eastern Conference Playoff series.

Cleveland controlled the tempo and scoring most of the evening in the Game 2 showdown. Toronto never led heading into the fourth quarter while Cleveland built its largest lead at 16.

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