{"id":137038,"date":"2025-04-30T11:13:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=137038"},"modified":"2025-04-30T11:13:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:13:10","slug":"james-harden-reminds-clippers-that-he-is-who-he-is-in-game-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/30\/james-harden-reminds-clippers-that-he-is-who-he-is-in-game-5\/","title":{"rendered":"James Harden Reminds Clippers That He Is Who He Is In Game 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> hoped to take control in Game 5. Instead, they were overwhelmed by the Denver Nuggets<\/a>. Jamal Murray<\/a> delivered a dominant 43-point night. James Harden<\/a>, however, had his worst showing of the playoffs for the Clippers in game 5. The result was a lopsided 131-115 loss that now puts the Clippers one game from elimination. Harden ended the night with just 11 points. He shot 3-of-9 from the field, missed both of his three-point attempts, and finished with four turnovers. His stat line\u2014eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals\u2014did little to mask the lack of scoring. More importantly, it reinforced a narrative that has haunted him for years.<\/p>\n

James Harden Reminds Clippers That He Is Who He Is In Game 5<\/strong><\/h2>\n

James Harden’s Game 5: Another Letdown on the Clippers\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There was hope entering this series. Harden dropped 32 points in Game 1 and looked like his old self. But his impact dwindled as the series progressed. In the crucial Game 5, when his team needed him most, James Harden disappeared.<\/p>\n

Since Game 1, Harden has failed to surpass 20 points in any outing. Game 5 marked his lowest output of the series. Fans and critics alike have grown tired of this pattern\u2014regular season dominance followed by playoff inconsistency.<\/p>\n

Bill Simmons joked<\/a> on his podcast that the Clippers only put Harden on Nikola Joki\u0107<\/a> in Game 5 so people would remember he was still on the court. That kind of commentary isn’t just brutal. It’s telling.<\/p>\n

History Repeating Itself<\/strong><\/h3>\n

James Harden’s<\/a> Game 5 performance brought back painful memories. Two years ago with the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden faced a similar situation. With his team up 3-2 against the Celtics, he dropped 13 points in Game 6 and just 7 in Game 7. That collapse helped send the Sixers home early.<\/p>\n

Now with the Clippers, history threatens to repeat itself. Harden\u2019s lack of production has fueled criticism. The silence afterward only made things worse. Harden refused to speak to the media after Game 5. It was his second consecutive media no-show. After Game 4, he also skipped postgame duties.<\/p>\n

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No postgame media for James Harden tonight. The Clippers said he left before reporters entered the locker room.<\/p>\n

There was no postgame media for Harden after Game 4 either.<\/p>\n

— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n