Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden has had a fantastic NBA career.
The third-overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft quickly became a household name as a sixth man for the Oklahoma City Thunder. After taking a backseat to forward Kevin Durant and guard Russell Westbrook early in his career, Harden moved on and ascended to stardom with the Houston Rockets.
After two-year stints in both Brooklyn with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, Harden seems to have found a home in Los Angeles. The 11-time All-Star helped the Clippers to a surprising 50-32 record, averaging 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game this season. However, his documented playoff struggles took center stage after the Clippers lost a seven-game series to the Denver Nuggets.
NBA Fans Troll as James Harden’s Playoff Struggles Continue
Harden’s Clippers fought hard to force a Game 7 with Denver but never stood a chance on Saturday, May 3, and were eliminated from the postseason with a 120-101 loss.
It was another frustrating playoff defeat and performance for Harden, who had just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field. Harden did manage to dish out 13 assists and grab five boards, but the Clippers were a -29 when he was on the court.
After Harden and the Clippers’ elimination, NBA fans took to social media to troll Harden.
One fan said, “James Harden in Game 7,” with an image from the TV show “Abbott Elementary.”
“🤣🤣🤣🤣 he never shows up on game 7!! Nothing new!” responded another user.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 he never shows up on game 7!! Nothing new!
— Inspiration with Lucas (@LucasBryner3)
Others continued to tease him for his performance. “Harden we need you our season is on the line it’s a game 7,” they cried out, including a video of DJ Khaled.
Clippers fans: “Harden we need you our season is on the line it’s a game 7”
James Harden: pic.twitter.com/YKkp8XBJqa
— Ash (@mahrezfort)
A few fans (and writers in this case) talked themselves into a Clippers victory but quickly realized their mistake.
“me, talking myself into believing a team with james harden on it was gonna win a game 7 on the road,” they said with a clown paint GIF.
me, talking myself into believing a team with james harden on it was gonna win a game 7 on the road pic.twitter.com/WMtIgrlGIC
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano)
For many fans, this result came as no surprise.
Perhaps the most interesting stat from the evening: “James Harden has now lost a Game 7 with 4 different teams 😭.”
James Harden has now lost a Game 7 with 4 different teams 😭 pic.twitter.com/bOTFets7xB
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter)
Harden’s Rockets were ousted by the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the 2018 postseason. His Nets suffered an overtime Game 7 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. His 76ers were defeated by the Boston Celtics in seven games in 2023.
However, Harden does have three Game 7 victories, including wins over the Memphis Grizzlies with the Thunder in 2014, a victory over the Clippers with the Rockets in 2015, and a win over the Thunder with the Rockets in 2020.
Nuggets Dominate Game 7, Advance To Take on Thunder
After trailing 26-21 at the end of the first quarter of Saturday night’s win-or-go-home Game 7, the Nuggets dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Clippers by 16 to take an 11-point lead into the break. They never looked back, building a 35-point lead and eventually finishing the Clippers off 120-101.
Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 22 points, Christian Braun scored 21, and star center Nikola Jokić added 16 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Westbrook, Harden’s former teammate, had 16 points, five assists, five rebounds, and five steals off the bench.
The Nuggets will now battle top-seeded Oklahoma City, who finished a league-best 68-14. The two teams split the season series 2-2, with each team stealing one game on the other’s home court.
