Defensive Pressure by Christian Braun Leads to James Harden's Struggle in Clippers' Game 7 Loss in Denver
Bitin' Harden Every Chance They Got:
Denver Nuggets' young gun Christian Braun had beast mode activated when it came to guarding LA Clippers' star James Harden in their Game 7 playoff showdown. And thank the stars for former teammate Russell Westbrook, who doled out some top-secret intel on handling the Clippers' glitterati.
Braun was all over Harden like white on rice the whole night, making it difficult for the LAC star to find his rhythm. In a season-ending 120-101 loss for the Clippers, Harden managed a paltry 2-of-8 from the floor and just seven measly points.
The shooting woes were a stark contrast to Harden's 32-point performance in Game 1. For the rest of the series, he averaged a mere 16.5 points per game with a shooting efficiency of 43.6%.
Westbrook, Harden's former teammate, couldn't help but shower Braun with praise. "James is a tough cover," he said. "Christian did a good job making the game tough on him. I thought he did an excellent job all year."
But Braun was quick to deflect the credit, instead giving a shout-out to teammates like Aaron Gordon for providing the support needed to shut Harden down. "I couldn't pick him up and pressure him all game if I didn't have the guys behind me,” he admitted.
Russ had the lowdown on Harden’s tendencies, passing on wisdom about which looks to give the superstar, when to back off, and even how to frustrate his famous step-back. "He's played against James, he's played with James, so he kind of knows his game," Braun shared.
Braun wasn't just a menace on defense; offensively, he contributed too. With 21 points and three 3-pointers in Game 7, Braun was a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. Coaches, players, and fans alike were singing his praises for his defensive contributions.
Nuggets interim coach David Adelman even admitted they went a little easy on Braun, letting him handle Harden until half-court, but once the ball crossed the line, it was up to Braun to get back in front of the Clippers' star.
For Lue and the Clippers, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. The team trailed by double digits at the half and watched a 35-point deficit loom in the fourth quarter. Lue declared, "Tough loss. Playing our worst game at a time like this, with a lot of emotions."
On the bright side, Kawhi Leonard wrapped up the series in remarkably good health. After sitting out the beginning of the season due to issues with his surgically repaired right knee, Leonard played like a man possessed. Harden stepped up in Leonard's absence, and Lue couldn't help but tip his cap to the guard's performance.
The Clippers ended the postseason as the hottest team in the league, winning 18 of 21 games. But with Leonard and Harden at the helm, Lue is already eyeing next season. Now that the dynamic duo has shown what they can do when they click, fans are eager to see what the future holds for the LA Clippers.
As for Harden, he heads into his mid-30s with the team still pushing forward, giving hopes that there's plenty more in the tank for the veteran guard. It remains to be seen how long they can keep humming along, but for now, they're showing no signs of slowing down. Leonard himself acknowledged, "It's a tough question to answer right now, but we're still playing at a high level in a sense."
- The Toronto Raptors news outlet reported that Christian Braun's defensive performance against James Harden in the NBA playoffs was a highlight, with his intensely aggressive approach causing Harden's shooting woes.
- In an interview with a healthcare magazine, Harden expressed concerns about maintaining his health and performance as he enters his mid-30s, citing the physical strain of the sport and the importance of preventing injuries.
- Amidst the Toronto sports scene, the LA Clippers' win-streak in the playoffs has sparked excitement, with fans eagerly anticipating next season with the dynamic duo of Leonard and Harden promising a competitive season.
