In the road victory over Boston, Harden finished with 45 points in 39 spectacular minutes, matching the most points he has scored in a single game in his playoff career. He also scored 45 points in Game Four of the 2015 Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Harden joined Allen Iverson as one of two 76ers to score 45 points or more in a playoff game in the last 50 years.
Despite taking on an increased offensive burden due to the absence of center Joel Embiid, Harden still managed to be extremely efficient on the offensive end, finishing 17-of-30 (57%) from the field while shooting 50% (7-of-14) from beyond the arc. No three pointer was bigger than the one he hit with 8.4 seconds left and the 76ers trailing 115-114. He created separation with his patented step-back move at the top of the key and drilled what would end up being the game-winning triple, putting Philadelphia up 117-115.
Harden has now made 390 three point field goals in his playoff career, surpassing iconic sharpshooter Ray Allen (385) for the fourth-most in NBA History. This was Harden's 46th 30-point and 10th 40-point performance in his playoff career. The regular season league leader in assists dished out six and added a pair of steals, in addition to a perfect 4-for-4 effort from the stripe. Harden and the 76ers will remain in Boston for Game Two of the series scheduled for Wednesday at 5 PM MST on TNT.
THE SPORTS WORLD REACTS
JAMES HARDEN STEPS UP FOR THE EMBIID-LESS SIXERS AS THEY TAKE GAME 1 ?? pic.twitter.com/fTfLBLlouM
— ESPN (@espn) May 2, 2023
— CBS Sports College Basketball ?? (@CBSSportsCBB) May 2, 2023
JAMES HARDEN FROM DEEP ??
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2023
HE HAS 45 PTS. SIXERS LEAD 117-115.
8 SECONDS LEFT ON TNT pic.twitter.com/qWu1dmMhkg
JAMES HARDEN TONIGHT:
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 2, 2023
45 POINTS
6 ASSISTS
2 STEALS
7/14 3PT
17/30 FG
BEST PLAYOFF GAME OF HIS CAREER ?? pic.twitter.com/MKlzxUL4bE
James Harden walks through the game-winning 3 that gave him 45 PTS ??#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/PgMK8gebJb
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2023
"James Harden's just very good at basketball..."
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2023
Tyrese Maxey after Harden's 45-point Game 1 performance which led the 76ers to victory ??
PHI/BOS Game 2: Wednesday, 8pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/flM5pVEceO
James Harden was ALL THE WAY BACK in Boston last night #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/EQXBOeummc
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 2, 2023
Active players with double-digit 40-point playoff games:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 2, 2023
— LeBron James
— Kevin Durant
And now, James Harden. pic.twitter.com/ras8TlvIVK
Only 5 players in 76ers history have recorded 45+ points in a Playoff game.
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 2, 2023
Allen Iverson (7 Games)
Lee Shaffer
Wilt Chamberlain
Billy Cunningham
James Harden pic.twitter.com/9mGCmkMrPN
James Harden brought the Met Gala to the TD Garden ??
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 1, 2023
(via @sixers) pic.twitter.com/QGURnTdljd