James Harden (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

The roar of the crowd echoed through Los Angeles on Sunday night. It wasn’t just any regular season game; it was the first battle in a heated playoff series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks. While all eyes were on Kawhi Leonard’s absence, another familiar face stole the show—James Harden. With a dominant performance, Harden not only secured a crucial win for the Clippers but also cemented his place in NBA history.

Harden’s 28 points and 8 assists propelled the Clippers to a 109-97 victory over the Mavericks. This win marked a significant milestone for the veteran guard—his 15th consecutive playoff appearance. Harden has an 86-75 record in the playoffs in his career. This success makes him the NBA’s active playoff streak leader, which shows how consistently good he has been throughout his career.

Following the game, Kyrie Irving, Harden’s former teammate with the Brooklyn Nets, acknowledged the significance of Harden’s accomplishment.

“When you are playing with somebody that special it makes the game easier,” Irving said. “But playing against him, you can tell when he comes out with an aggressive mindset it’s a different team… It’s good to be on the other side. Definitely miss him, but at the same time glad that we get to compete against each other now.“

A big part of Harden’s dedication has been his constant commitment to the game. Drafted in 2009, he’s carved a path through the NBA, playing for teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and now the Los Angeles Clippers. Each season, he’s proven himself as a reliable scorer and playmaker, consistently pushing his teams into playoff contention.

James Harden’s playoff journey and leadership

Harden’s playoff journey began the season he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Playing alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Harden quickly established himself as a key contributor, helping the young Thunder team reach the playoffs in each of his three seasons there.

Harden became a superstar after joining the Houston Rockets in 2012. He led the Rockets to the playoffs in all eight seasons he spent with them, even reaching the NBA Finals in 2018.

While his time with the Rockets ended in 2021, Harden’s playoff appearances continued. He spent brief stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, making the playoffs with both teams before landing with the Clippers this season.

Harden was unfazed by the burden of leading a team sans Kawhi Leonard. As the team’s leader, he set the Clippers’ offense in motion and made it possible for him and his teammates to convert their shots. This complete performance serves as a reminder of Harden’s offensive skill and flexibility on many teams.

With the series tied at 0-1, the pressure is on the Dallas Mavericks to adjust their strategy before facing the Clippers again on Tuesday. However, James Harden’s unwavering presence and historic playoff streak serve as a stark warning for the Mavericks—underestimating the “Beard” could prove costly for their playoff aspirations.