Superstar guard James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers is notorious for his poor performance during the NBA playoffs.
Harden’s teams underperformed during his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets as a result of his inability to deliver in the postseason.
Harden’s performance thus far in the playoffs suggests that this year is a little different for him, as his superstar teammate and reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid is battling a knee injury.
Harden filled up the stat sheet in Game 4 on Sunday to even the series at two games apiece, as if his performance in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics in the second round wasn’t stunning enough.
JAMES HARDEN TODAY:
42 POINTS
8 REBOUNDS
9 ASSISTS
4 STEALS
16/23 FG pic.twitter.com/ik2KhwC5IkNBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 7, 2023
The efficiency + game winner such an elite game
(@FeelLikeDrew) May 7, 2023
HE HAS TO SCORE 40 FOR THEM TO WIN
Sean (@SeanSniped) May 7, 2023
I’ve missed this version of James Harden
Kev (@GloriousKev) May 7, 2023
Harden just erased every doubt you had about him, down 2-1 to Boston dropping 42/8/9/4 on 15/21! Y all wanted him to perform me when the pressure is the highest, here y all have it. Top 20 player of all time. A ring after this season will solidify my position
Peter Osei (@PrincePeterOFC) May 7, 2023
While preserving the 76ers’ chances of making it all the way to the finals, Harden appears to be shifting the narrative during this postseason.
Philadelphia needed every bit of help from the seasoned guard on Sunday at home, despite the fact that Embiid put up a strong performance with 34 points and 13 rebounds. Harden stole the show.
It’s an amazing way to tie the series up and avoid falling down 1-3 that the 76ers were able to defeat the Celtics by one point in Game 4.
The 76ers stand a strong chance of making it to the Eastern Conference Finals if Harden can keep giving performances like these during this second-round series.
Following Embiid’s knee injury, many analysts and fans wrote off Philadelphia. However, the club now appears to have recovered and is prepared to compete throughout this series and possibly beyond.
NEXT:
Joel Embiid Has A Message For James Harden On Recent Struggles