Another season closed with disappointment for James Harden and the Clippers on Saturday night, marked by a painful Game 7 loss to the Nuggets. For Harden, the 11-time All-Star, the evening ended quietly.
At 35, Harden chose not to speak with the media after the Clippers faced their third straight first-round playoff elimination.
Having led the series 2-1, Los Angeles faltered, losing three out of their last four games. Reports suggest Harden didn’t discuss any of these defeats.
In the final game, Harden managed just seven points on a 2-for-8 shooting night, though he contributed with 13 assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block.
The Nuggets established a commanding lead, at one point ahead by 35 points, ultimately winning 120-101 and advancing to face the top-seeded Thunder.
Interestingly, Russell Westbrook now finds himself on the Nuggets, while Harden has had a journey through the Thunder, Rockets, and last year’s Clippers. In one memorable moment, Westbrook showcased a skillful dunk as the scoreboard read 107-76 late in the game.
With Harden turning 36 in August and Kawhi Leonard approaching 34 next month, there’s a real question about whether the Clippers’ star trio still have a winning chance. Leonard’s recurring knee issues add to this uncertainty.
“I don’t think this team was 30 points better than us,” Leonard stated, leading the team with 22 points. He acknowledged, however, that the Nuggets executed well during transition plays and capitalized on scoring opportunities.
Harden has been chasing a championship since his trade from the Rockets to the Nets during the 2020-21 season, yet he hasn’t advanced beyond the second round since then.
With a $36.4 million player option for next season, Harden is likely to stay with the Clippers. However, pressure could mount, particularly for head coach Tyronn Lue, who inked a five-year extension last year.
