After scoring 28 in a critical Game 6 victory, it appeared that Harden was ready to have a big Game 7. Unfortunately, it just didn’t happen. The assists were great, but he didn’t step up as a scorer in the way that a star should. Harden will be 36 at the start of next season, but there is no indication that he’ll slow down during the regular season. Managers should draft him with confidence next season, even if he continues to struggle during the postseason.

Harden rebounded from a quiet 11-point, five-assist performance in Game 5 with his second-highest scoring output of the series. The former 2018 NBA MVP was much more aggressive as a shot taker from the start and scored 21 first-half points after generating only nine total field-goal attempts the previous game. He led the team in scoring and also contributed as a facilitator, leading Los Angeles in assists for the game. Harden will have a chance to deliver another big performance in Saturday’s Game 7.

Harden had a quiet night on Tuesday, barely cracking double figures in scoring and failing to register double-digit shot attempts. The 2018 NBA MVP has faced a stifling Nuggets defense that, over the last few games, has forced the ball out of his hands, leading to inferior performances compared to earlier games in the series. Harden will look for a bounce-back performance on Thursday as he tries to lead the Clippers to a season-saving victory in Game 6.

After attempting at least 14 shots in each of the first three games of the series, Harden was only responsible for 11 in Game 4. And the Nuggets were able to fluster The Beard, with things coming to a head in the form of an altercation late in the second quarter. Harden did make some solid plays late, with the Clippers ripping off a 32-9 fourth-quarter run to get back into the game. However, it wasn’t enough to secure the victory, with the Nuggets pulling even at two games apiece. He’ll need to be better in Game 5 on Tuesday in Denver.