James Harden’s abysmal turnover stat and sweat incident sees horrific Game 6 record go from bad to worse

The Cleveland Cavaliers missed a golden opportunity to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night.

They held a 3-2 series lead against the No 1. seed Detroit Pistons, but dropped Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup, 94-115, as the Pistons forced a Game 7 back in Detroit.

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The Cavaliers struggled offensively in Game 6, scoring just 94 points on 39.0% shooting from the field.

James Harden finished the night with a team-high 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals. The Cavs veteran, acquired before the trade deadline in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, shot 8-for-10 from the free-throw line.

With his fifth point of the game, Harden passed Steph Curry for 10th place on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list.

Harden has had his fair share of detractors over the years for his postseason performances and perceived knack for coming up short when it really matters.

James Harden’s awful Game 6 record continues

And his Game 6 playoff record went from bad to worse after Friday’s showing. Harden is now 4-14 in Game 6s in his career, the second-worst record in Game 6 in NBA playoff history.

The 2018 MVP had eight turnovers and six field goals on Friday night. It means he finished with more turnovers than made field goals for the 31st time in his playoff career and the 5th time this postseason.

“Nope, not at all,” said Harden when asked if the Cavs brought the level of desperation needed to win a Game 6.

“I think we started off the game well and we still had the lead, but then, throughout the course of the game, we never kicked it into that second level.

“We had opportunities in small spurts but it was never like a consistent flow on both ends of the ball, which is a little frustrating, but you can’t do nothing about it.”

During the fourth quarter, Harden also found himself in an awkward moment when teammate Dean Wade slipped on sweat left on the floor and fell, which later led to a wide-open Pistons dunk.

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Wade avoided any serious injury from the incident.

“James Harden generating enough sweat to qualify as a hazardous court condition,” added one fan.

“James Harden now affecting the game through humidity,” added another.

Harden has faced intense scrutiny over the course of his career, including this postseason.

Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade is one of those who has challenged him to step up.

“I think it’s unfortunate. But also fortunately, James Harden will be talked about and discussed on what he does in this moment,” Wade said before Game 6.

“The game 6 moments. Then if you’re the Pistons, possibly game 7 moments. These are the moments the greats are supposed to rise and be greater than everyone else. We want to see James rise to the level that we seen James for so many years in other moments throughout his career,” Wade said.

Despite the loss, the Cavs still have the chance to make amends in a win-or-go-home Game 7 on Sunday.

Should they win, it’ll be Cleveland’s first Eastern Conference finals since LeBron James led the Cavs in 2018.

The New York Knicks await the winner of the Cavs-Pistons series with the winner advancing to the 2026 NBA Finals.