Harden Erupts Again, Hits Game-Winning Shot to Carry 76ers in Game 4

With the season nearing the brink and a raucous home crowd behind him, 76ers star James Harden came through when it mattered most.

Harden helped Philadelphia stave off a furious second-half comeback attempt from the Celtics, scoring a game-high 42 points to lead the Sixers to a 116–115 overtime victory on Sunday, evening the series at two games apiece.

Philadelphia led by as many as 16 points and was ahead by double digits for most of the second half before Boston stormed back into the game and sending it into OT. The Celtics took a two-point lead with 38 seconds remaining on a three-pointer from Jayson Tatum, setting up Harden to hit the game-winner with 19 seconds left.

JAMES HARDEN GAME-WINNER.
42 POINTS IN THE GAME 4 WIN.
SERIES TIED AT 2-2.#PLAYOFFMODE pic.twitter.com/FVG2pYJ9CC
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2023

After erupting for 45 points in a surprising Game 1 win without Joel Embiid, 76ers guard James Harden was quiet in the next two games of the series, scoring a combined 28 points on 5-for-28 shooting from the field. He made up for those performances on Sunday, making 16 of his 23 shot attempts to go along with eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals with only one turnover.

Given how his standout game evened up the series, there was no shortage of reactions to Harden’s heroics on social media. Check out the best of the bunch below.

James Harden tonight:

42 PTS
8 REB
9 AST (1 TOV)
16-23 FG
6-9 3P

Top 10 all-time in 40-point playoff games. pic.twitter.com/YMfGVJSe7o
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 7, 2023

James Harden today:

- 42 PTS
- 8 REB
- 9 AST
- 4 STL
- 1 BLK
- 16/23 FG
- 6/9 3P
- 100% FT

MY GOAT IS BUILT FOR THIS!!! pic.twitter.com/DSrBlQoaZT
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) May 7, 2023

The 76ers 2 wins in the series have come on late go-ahead James Harden threes.

Harden joins Rashard Lewis and Robert Horry as the 3rd player in the last 25 seasons with multiple go-ahead 3-pt FG in the final 20 seconds in a single postseason. pic.twitter.com/I5Lk0qPdnf
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 7, 2023

James Harden saw Lil Baby sitting courtside and turned into 2018 Harden pic.twitter.com/GQmoDT6ys2
— Mink Flow (@currypistonn) May 7, 2023

You just need to be great 4 times in a 7 Game series. @sixers got 2 from James Harden so far. Series tied at 2… back to Boston.

pic.twitter.com/c08v2PxvkF
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) May 7, 2023

Get you someone who looks at you the way Harden and Lil Baby look at each other ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wmD7ked3JT
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 7, 2023

42 Points
8 Rebounds
9 Assists
4 Steals
1 Block
16-23 FG
6-9 3PT
1 Turnover

This is what legends are made of. James Harden pic.twitter.com/pMG1PLRdHN
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) May 7, 2023

James Harden series review so far:

Game 1: Is this the best player ever?
Game 2: How is he in the NBA?
Game 3: How is he in the NBA?
Game 4: Is this the best player ever?
— Barry (@BarryOnHere) May 7, 2023