James Harden’s Disappearing Act: How the Clippers’ Game 7 Collapse Against the Nuggets Unfolded

The Los Angeles Clippers faced a harsh defeat against the Denver Nuggets in Game 7, falling 120-101. The game felt one-sided, with the Clippers trailing by as much as 35 points.

Many disappointing stats emerged, but Kawhi Leonard’s worst career plus/minus of -33 stood out. James Harden’s disappointing seven points on eight shots didn’t surprise fans familiar with his patterns in elimination games. In fact, Harden has a history of underperforming in these high-pressure situations.

In his last 13 elimination games, he’s shot only 39% from the field, leading his teams to a 2-11 record. Including his Game 6 performance with 28 points, his average over the last five elimination games is just 14.2 points, shooting a mere 38%. His struggles in critical moments have become a repeated storyline.

The last time Harden won an elimination game was back in 2020, when the Rockets edged past the Thunder. Even then, he shot poorly. Some might point to his 13 assists in Game 7 as a redeeming quality, but that’s hard to buy. Good players adjust their play when their shots aren’t falling — think of Stephen Curry, who isn’t afraid to put up shots during tense moments.

Interestingly, in the same elimination situations, legends like Curry and LeBron James rarely falter. Curry has scored under 20 points only once in 14 elimination games. LeBron has never dipped below 20 in 29 such games. Harden, however, has failed to reach 20 points in 12 of his 26 elimination games. This stark contrast raises questions about his ability to perform when it matters most.

Historically, great players rise to the occasion. James Worthy, nicknamed “Big Game James,” averaged over 27 points in four career Game 7s and had a memorable 36-point, 16-rebound game in the Finals. Sadly, Harden’s elimination game records do not reflect greatness.

What’s noteworthy is that Harden often shines early in the series. He averaged 26 points in the first four games against Dallas last season, only to stumble in the critical games that followed. The same pattern played out in his time with the Sixers, where he shined bright in earlier games but went quiet when it mattered most.

These trends raise eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. How can the same player excel earlier in the series only to disappear in elimination games? As the Clippers entered this postseason, their hopes relied heavily on a strong Harden. He performed well initially, but in the end, his absence on the big stage was all too familiar.

It’s crucial for teams to recognize the patterns in their star players’ performances, especially as playoffs progress. Teams like the Clippers need to reassess how they build a roster capable of thriving in high-pressure situations. NBA stats reveal the importance of clutch performances, and for the Clippers, looking past past patterns may be essential for future success.

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