James Harden has played 177 career playoff games. He is no stranger to bright lights on this stage. However, his low efficiency and high turnover rate have created problems for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
Joe Johnson Emphasizes James Harden’s Playoff Struggles After Game 4 Loss
Cleveland did not get the production it needed from its stars in its 89-93 Game 4 defeat. Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points but shot a brutal 6-of-24 from the field, while James Harden totaled 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting with seven costly turnovers.
Joe Johnson, Chad Johnson, and Shannon Sharpe gave their thoughts on the series on the “Nightcap” podcast. Joe Johnson, a former seven-time NBA All-Star, talked about Harden’s tendency to decline in the postseason.
“They scrutinize James [Harden] because they understand the situations he’s been in the past during the postseason. So every time he’s in the postseason, they [are] going to watch. It’s kind of like when you look at Lamar Jackson, and you know he’s going to be great during the regular season. But hell, in the postseason, can he win us some games? Can we get to the Super Bowl? It’s similar to that,” said Johnson.
Lamar Jackson owns three top-three finishes for NFL MVP. He won the prestigious award in 2019 and 2023. However, the 29-year-old has never reached the Super Bowl. He stands alone as the only quarterback in league history with multiple MVPs without reaching the big game.
Harden reached the NBA finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012 when he won Sixth Man of the Year. A year later, the Rockets acquired him to be their franchise player, but Harden has not played in the championship series since.
Harden averages 21.8 points, 6.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals for the series. He shoots 47.5% from the field and 38.7% from beyond the arc. These numbers are certainly nothing to scoff at, but Harden turns the ball over 6.0 times per game- a playoff career high.
The Raptors have strong, athletic defenders who do not back down from a challenge. Barnes and Jamal Shead have done a great job of forcing Harden into uncomfortable situations. Toronto’s length on the wing makes tight passing windows even tougher, and they excel in turning steals into easy buckets in transition.
Surprising Statistic Details Harden’s Postseason Struggles
In Game 3, the 11-time All-Star had eight turnovers and shot just 5-of-13 from the field- his second straight contest with more turnovers than field goals. Sharpe cited a striking statistic, highlighting James Harden’s playoff efficiency and ball security issues.
“[James Harden] has 44 playoff games in which he has more turnovers than field goals.”
Harden must limit his mistakes in a crucial Game 5. The series returns to Cleveland on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
