Former ASU star James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers are moving on to the second round of the NBA playoffs after winning Game 4 against the Brooklyn Nets 96-88 and sweeping the Round 1 series.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The 76ers sweep the Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs‼️ pic.twitter.com/re1MltJiHt
— ESPN (@espn) April 22, 2023
Harden had an up and down series with a banged up roster, including no likely MVP winner Joel Embiid in Game 4. Harden only shot 4-of-18 in Game 4 for 17 points, but contributed 11 assists and eight rebounds, stuffing the stat sheet per usual.
JAMES HARDEN DROPS CAM JOHNSON. 🔥🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 22, 2023
He had 23 points, 13 assists and four rebounds in Game 1; eight points, seven assists and five rebounds in Game 2; and 21 points, five rebounds and four assists in Game 3. He may need to do a lot more next series with Joel Embiid’s status up in the air moving forward.
Doc Rivers said Joel Embiid's MRI "did not turn out well" after he had pain and swelling behind his knee:
"He was complaining about some soreness behind the knee, which is always a scary thing when it’s behind the knee. There was swelling already, which is way too early. So we… pic.twitter.com/OxmXOjK71n
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) April 22, 2023
In the regular season, Harden averaged a league-leading 10.7 assists per game to go along with 21 points and 6.1 rebounds. He became the first player to win three scoring titles and two assist titles in NBA history.
James Harden is now the first player in NBA history with 3 scoring titles AND 2 assist titles, per @NBA
Legendary 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UkhrysD6cx
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 10, 2023
After playing two seasons at ASU from 2007-2009 and averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists, Harden was drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009. Since enter the league, Harden has never missed the playoffs in his 14-year NBA career. He has yet to win an NBA championship, but will try to help his team reach the promise land this season.
1️⃣4️⃣ for 1️⃣4️⃣
If you have James Harden on your team, you are guaranteed make the playoffs 👍
The @SunDevilHoops legend has yet to miss the postseason in his career 🫡
(📸 @GettyImages) pic.twitter.com/FI7Pq6sLr2
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) April 11, 2023
The 76ers will face the winner of the Celtics vs. Hawks series, which the Celtics currently lead 2-1. Harden is the only ASU player left in the NBA playoffs after Lu Dort and the Thunder lost in the play-in round.
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Brendan Mau is a college sports insider and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on twitter via @Brendan_Mau
