James Harden continues his series of game-seven misfortunes after a disappointing performance in the LA Clippers’ do-or-die matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. On an episode of First Take, analyst Marcus Spears likened Harden’s failures to a painful dating experience.
Averaging 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists throughout the season, Harden had shown a resurgence after a mediocre previous season, bringing the Clippers to the fifth seed in April. He also became the team’s vital player throughout the first round against the Nuggets.
However, the former Arizona State failed to deliver again when the series reached 3-3. While he had 13 assists in game seven, James Harden only scored seven in 35 minutes, falling short in the high-stakes match.
ESPN’s Spears brutally compared Harden with a dating analogy.
“James Harden is like the dude who got a girl and he sets up nice scenes and he never proposes. They never gonna get married. He’s gonna date you, y’all gonna stay together. People are gonna say y’all a great looking couple but he’s never gonna marry you,” Spears said.
“James Harden is like the dude that got a girl and he sets up night scenes and he never proposes… he’s gonna date you, y’all gonna stay together, people are gonna say y’all a great looking couple, but he’s never gonna marry you.”
– Marcus Spears 😂pic.twitter.com/SRgvyM8opp
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 5, 2025
James Harden choked game sevens in three franchises besides the Clippers: the Houston Rockets, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Brooklyn Nets. In 2023, Harden, who was at the 76ers, only scored nine points in a win-or-go-home matchup against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Semis.
Although Harden has established himself as one of today’s top shooting guards, his repeated struggles in high-stakes games, notably 3-4 in game sevens, pose a serious threat to his legacy.
Clippers exec gave candid insights on James Harden’s future with team
James Harden holds a player option for next season, with a decision looming now that the LA Clippers have fallen short of the playoffs. On Monday, Clippers executive James Frank signaled openness to either scenario—whether Harden chooses to opt in or leave the team entirely.
“We have a great level of appreciation for what James did this year,” Frank said. “I’m going in with the intent that if he doesn’t pick up his option that we’re going to be able to reach an agreement that works well for James and works well for the Clippers.”
James Harden joined the Clippers in 2023, stepping up as the team’s leader while Kawhi Leonard’s injuries sidelined him. The duo eventually reunited for the playoffs but fell short in a seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets.
As the Clippers head into the offseason committed to Leonard, they may look to keep Harden as his co-star—a pairing that still holds promise if both can stay healthy.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through [email protected]. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
