James Harden Avoids Media After Another Game 7 Collapse, This Time With Clippers
Another year, another Game 7, and once again, James Harden finds himself on the losing end.
The Los Angeles Clippers saw their season come to a disappointing end on Saturday night, falling to the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a decisive Game 7. And while there were plenty of storylines to unpack from the loss, the spotlight inevitably fell on Harden — a player whose playoff reputation continues to be a topic of debate.
Harden, who once famously said, “I’m not a system player, I am a system,” was nowhere to be found postgame — at least not in front of the media. For the third consecutive loss in the series, Harden declined to speak with reporters, avoiding questions about his performance and the team’s early exit.
Another Game 7 Letdown
On the court, Harden’s night was far from memorable. He finished with just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting, while contributing 13 assists, five rebounds, two steals, and two turnovers. For a player with MVP credentials and an extensive playoff résumé, it’s yet another Game 7 that failed to meet expectations.
This loss drops Harden to 3-4 in career Game 7s, with each of those four losses coming while wearing a different jersey. He previously fell short in Game 7s with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Philadelphia 76ers before this latest disappointment with the Clippers.
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In total, across his seven Game 7 appearances, Harden has averaged:
- 3 points
- 9 assists
- 7 rebounds
- 0 turnovers
While shooting a dismal 35.5% from the field and 22.4% from three-point range.
Despite being an elite regular-season scorer and playmaker, Harden’s postseason inconsistencies continue to shape his legacy. Saturday’s performance — quiet, passive, and ineffective in a do-or-die moment — only added fuel to the long-standing narrative.
What’s Next for Harden and the Clippers?
The Clippers now head into another uncertain offseason. Harden holds a $36.3 million player option for the 2025–26 season, meaning he can either:
- Opt in and return for one more year,
- Decline the option and become a free agent, or
- Negotiate a new deal with the Clippers, assuming mutual interest.
At age 35, and with multiple postseason disappointments on his résumé, it’s unclear what Harden’s market value will be — or if the Clippers even see him as part of their long-term future.
For the Clippers, the loss stings not just because of what was at stake, but because it felt all too familiar. The team once again fell short in a high-pressure situation, despite the presence of multiple stars. And for Harden, it’s another painful reminder that, when it comes to the biggest moments, the results continue to fall short of the hype.
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