LA Clippers' James Harden Skips Post-Game 7 Interview Following Loss
Game 7: Clippers' Dream Shatters in a 120-101 Loss against the Nuggets
With high hopes and a seemingly unstoppable streak, the Los Angeles Clippers were poised to make a splash in the playoffs. However, they faced an unexpected setback in the form of a crushing 120-101 defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in the decisive Game 7.
In an unfortunate turn of events, the Clippers witnessed their hard-earned momentum disintegrate within the confines of the arena. The Nuggets managed to steal a significant 11-point lead at the intermission and subsequently exploded on a breathtaking 24-4 run during the third quarter, effectively sealing the deal.
The specter of underperformance once again haunted James Harden during the crux of the season. As reporters eagerly awaited his post-game comments, Harden was conspicuously absent from the media scrum, merely slipping out of the arena, as reported by Joey Linn of Sports Illustrated[1].
Rumors circulated about the predicament of the Clippers following their premature exit, surrounding the future of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard after another playoff debacle.
In a performance that left much to be desired, Harden logged 35 minutes on the court, but accumulated only seven measly points on 2-for-8 shooting. Despite his passing prowess, evidenced by 13 assists, the stark absence of a scoring punch proved to be an insurmountable hurdle for the Clippers.
Nuggets defenders relentlessly swarmed Harden in Game 7, deploying multiple bodies in the first half and disrupting Los Angeles' offensive rhythm with a changeup to zone defense for the remainder of the game[5].
Harden's stint with the Clippers has been marred by criticism for his perceived incapacity to rise to the occasion in crunch time. Despite impressive individual outings earlier in the playoffs, his failure to deliver the goods in the most crucial games has been a point of contention.
In Game 4, Harden contributed 15 points and 11 assists, but even that wasn't enough to help the Clippers surmount their opponent's formidable depth and star-studded lineup, headed by Nikola Jokić, who has dominated the playoffs with a historic run[2][3].
In retrospect, the sources of the Clippers' woes in the 2025 playoffs can be attributed to a multitude of factors. While health concerns have been a persistent theme in the past, this season presented a more complex picture. Despite the presence of Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac in top form, Harden faltered once more in a pivotal game, expunging the Clippers' chances of making a deep run in the postseason.
- Despite the defeat in Game 7, rumors swirl about the future of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard in the NBA, following another premature playoff exit.
- In Game 7, Nuggets defenders relentlessly swarmed James Harden, limiting his scoring efforts and disrupting the Clippers' offensive rhythm, exacerbating fears about his ability to perform in crunch time.
- In the playoffs, James Harden's inconsistent performances have raised questions about his ability to carry the Clippers to championship glory, with his poor showing in Game 7 serving as another example of his struggle to deliver in the NBA playoffs.
