Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Entertainment
Nick Selbe

NBA Twitter Explodes Over James Harden’s 45-Point Game vs. Celtics

James Harden Celtics NBA Joel Embiid Sixers 76ers Game 1

The 76ers entered TD Garden on Monday night facing an uphill climb against the Celtics with MVP favorite Joel Embiid out with injury.

Philadelphia fans, have no fear: The Beard is here.

James Harden rose to the occasion and turned in a star performance, erupting for 45 points to stun the Boston crowd and lead the Sixers to a 119–115 Game 1 win. Harden made clutch plays throughout the second half, though none was bigger than his step-back, go-ahead three-pointer that gave Philadelphia a two-point lead with eight seconds remaining.

The scoring outburst tied a playoff career high for Harden, who made 17 of his 30 field goal attempts while shooting 7-for-14 on threes. He spearheaded a strong offensive showing from 76ers that enabled them to outscore the Celtics despite Boston shooting 58.7% from the floor as a team.

Harden became the fifth player in 76ers history to score 45 or more points in a playoff game. The others are Allen Iverson, Lee Shaffer, Wilt Chamberlain and Billy Cunningham.

The basketball world was stunned by Harden’s postseason brilliance, particularly considering the absence of Embiid. Check out the best social media reactions of the bunch below.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Will there be an Arcane season 3? Here's what the creators have said about what's coming next
A look ahead to League of Legends' on-screen future
Total Film
Total Film
I Tried Lab-Grown Salmon. Here's What It Tasted Like.
Cultivated meat is getting better and better. That's why states keep trying to ban it.
Reason
Reason
Beatles songs "imprinted" on Paul Reiser
On "Everything Fab Four," he discusses his new comedy special, working with Michael McDonald and visiting Liverpool
Salon
Salon
Best tinted serums to get your skin glowing
The ultra-lightweight base product packed with skin-loving ingredients
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Dua Lipa’s pickle drink is latest twist in growing appreciation for ‘dirty’ cocktails
Brine from pickled onions, beetroot, pickles and even oysters is now a fixture on bar menus across the UK
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Mouth-taping, TikTok’s latest trend, won’t give you a ‘snatched’ jaw. Here’s what it might do
IN FOCUS: As the trend of taping one’s lips closed at night goes viral, Inga Parkel speaks to experts about whether the practice actually has any aesthetic benefits – or if it’s yet another online sensation best to brush off
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play