James Harden seemed to shake off his reputation for disappointing elimination games, delivering an impressive performance in Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets. He notched up 28 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a victory that set up a Game 7 in Denver during the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
However, the Clippers needed more of that magic from Harden in Game 7, and unfortunately, he fell short.
The Nuggets dominated the game, winning 120-101 and advancing to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. Despite the season ending for the Clippers, Harden’s struggles in the playoffs continue to shape his legacy.
In just 35 minutes, Harden managed only seven points, along with 13 assists and five rebounds, but he also had two turnovers and shot just 2-for-8 from the field, ending the game with a -29 rating. The Nuggets effectively neutralized him, forcing him into a playmaking role while his teammates struggled to score. Though Harden can’t shoulder all the blame, his inability to crack Denver’s defense was a significant factor in the team’s defeat, adding another chapter to the ongoing narrative about his playoff performance.
Harden is renowned as one of the best regular-season players in NBA history, yet his playoff performances, especially in elimination games, tell a different story. Before 2025, he played in six elimination games, averaging 21.3 points and 7 rebounds, but with a shooting percentage of just 36.3% overall and 22.2% from three-point range, not to mention averaging 4.3 turnovers.
Here’s a snapshot of his challenges in elimination games:
- While with the 2023 Philadelphia 76ers, Harden scored nine points in a Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics, dishing out seven assists but also racking up five turnovers in 41 minutes.
- During the 2024 playoffs as a Clipper, he managed 16 points and 13 assists but shot only 1-for-5 in a Game 6 elimination against the Dallas Mavericks.
- In 2021 with the Brooklyn Nets, he recorded 22 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists but shot poorly in a Game 7 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks.
- In 2015, as a Houston Rocket, he struggled significantly in a Game 5 loss to the Golden State Warriors, finishing with just 14 points and 12 turnovers.
- With the Rockets in 2017, he had 10 points and six assists, while also committing six turnovers in a Game 6 elimination against the San Antonio Spurs.
There were some highlights, too. For instance, in a 2019 Game 6 loss to the Warriors, he scored 35 points. And during the 2020 playoffs, he had a solid 30-point game against the Lakers, despite also committing six turnovers.
Fans certainly took notice of Harden’s latest struggles:
“Every time Harden’s playoff resume doesn’t get worse, he drops another Game 7 stinker.” – @knicks_tape99
“Harden will really continue to get hatred during the postseason. It’s like he has 10 years of low lights, lol.” – @sjbasketball8
Harden’s resume suggests he should be recognized as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history. He’s often argued to be a top 50 player, maybe even more. His 2018 MVP win and multiple runner-up finishes speak volumes, but his playoff failures tarnish an otherwise stellar career.
At 36 this summer, Harden faces some undeniable career shortcomings. He had another solid regular season with the Clippers and earned an All-NBA selection, yet the familiar disappointing end to this season lingers.
