For James Harden, Game 7s have become a recurring nightmare. The Los Angeles Clippers needed their star guard to step up in their decisive matchup against the Denver Nuggets, but instead, Harden delivered yet another underwhelming performance in an elimination game. His seven points on 2-of-8 shooting were emblematic of his struggles in high-pressure moments, as the Clippers fell 120-101 in a blowout loss that was never close.
Harden’s struggles in elimination games are well-documented. In his last 13 elimination games, he has shot just 39% from the field, with his teams going 2-11 in those matchups. His Game 7 performances, in particular, have been historically poor—he has now scored fewer than 10 points in back-to-back Game 7s.
Despite Harden’s 13 assists, his lack of scoring aggression was glaring. Unlike other superstars who take matters into their own hands when their team is struggling, Harden appeared passive, deferring to teammates instead of attacking the Nuggets’ defense.
While Harden faltered, the Denver Nuggets put on a clinic. Aaron Gordon led the charge with 22 points and 5 assists, earning MVP honors for the game. Nikola Jokić, though not the leading scorer, controlled the tempo with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, proving once again why he is one of the most complete players in the league.
Christian Braun had a breakout performance with 21 points and 4 assists. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 15 points, while Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook each added 16 points.
The Nuggets built a 35-point lead in the third quarter, completely dismantling the Clippers’ defense and leaving no doubt about the outcome.
The @nuggets tonight became the first team ever to have six players score 15+ each in a Game 7 win 👏
Gordon: 22p, 4r, 5a
Braun: 21p, 5r, 4a
Murray: 16p, 5r
Jokić: 16p, 10r, 8a, 3s
Porter Jr.: 15p, 6r
Westbrook: 16p, 5r, 5a, 5s pic.twitter.com/V2mqIriPMb— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2025
With the win, the Nuggets advance to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Clippers head into the offseason with major questions—particularly regarding Harden’s future and whether he can still be relied upon in crucial playoff moments.
For Harden, this latest Game 7 disaster only adds to his growing list of postseason disappointments. As the Nuggets celebrate their dominant victory, the Clippers are left wondering if their championship aspirations can ever be realized with Harden leading the way.
