James Harden entered the Cavaliers’ playoff run needing to help Donovan Mitchell push Cleveland back into the NBA Finals.
Instead, the Cavs were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Harden becoming one of the main targets for criticism.
His Game 4 performance, when he finished with 12 points, five turnovers and only two made field goals, sharpened the postseason narrative around him.
Besides that, he also added an unwanted playoff feat to his CV.
James Harden moves closer to Karl Malone’s undesirable playoff record
ESPN reports that Harden has now played in 191 playoff games without winning a championship, putting him only two behind Utah Jazz legend Karl Malone for the most in NBA history.
Harden and Malone are also tied for the most playoff wins without a title, with both sitting on 98.
And despite the criticism and unwanted marks, Harden is not expected to leave Cleveland after the sweep.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told ESPN 850 Cleveland on Tuesday: “This is not theoretical, James Harden will be back with the Cavs next year, it will be for multiple years guaranteed.”
That report is significant after the 36-year-old guard became a target for the fanbase, failing to deliver when it mattered most.
It also adds another layer to their potential pursuit of LeBron James, as the numbers involved in Harden’s contract will certainly make the Cavs’ task harder.
