The underwhelming playoff performance that LA Clippers fans all saw coming but hoped would not happen finally took place in game five against the Denver Nuggets. He was nothing short of awful, and at this rate, the Clippers will be bounced in game six as his engine is out of gas.
Of course, LA is in the first round because of James Harden. This season will be indelible as he was an All-Star and likely All-NBA player, playing 79 games, over half on his own without Kawhi Leonard.
However, regular-season success is less meaningful for a player chasing a ring after already winning an MVP. He wants a championship, but his team will not be able to win, with his annual lows emerging in the biggest moments.
Moreover, for some reason, Harden chose to run sprints for 35 minutes in game five rather than get the ball and get busy or work with Ivica Zubac in the pick-and-roll. Clippers fans have seen him be great, yet the 11-time All-Star constantly fails to clear his playoff hurdle.
To remain alive, the LA Clippers need a changed narrative ball game from James Harden
Following James Harden’s 15 points and four turnovers in game four, LA Clippers fans predicted game five would be a storm for the former MVP. In contrast to game one, his aggressiveness shifted gears in the opposite direction, and he made rare, careless mistakes, such as dribbling the ball off his foot.
Nonetheless, the Denver Nuggets demolished the Clippers by 16, and Harden was primarily guilty. He posted 11 points, four turnovers, and four personal fouls. He only attempted nine shots, his lowest since January 23rd, 2025, against the Washington Wizards.
Furthermore, the Clippers cut the difference to single digits but were powerless without Harden putting the ball through the net. Conversely, LA would have easily won game five had Harden even played decently, as every starter was in double figures, and Bogdan Bogdanović scored 18 off the bench.
Harden is mindful of the questions and concerns right now, and he chose to defer the media in back-to-back games. It will likely be until the series ends or after a hopefully sensational game six before he answers the reporters.
That said, the Clippers need a perfect game six from Harden to change the narrative. He was dreadful in games four and five, and currently, the lights seem too bright for the California native.