James Harden Makes Absurd Claim After Getting Swept by Knicks

James Harden tends to get torn to shreds by NBA fans and pundits this time of year.

Harden, an 11-time All-Star and 2018 NBA MVP, has been the league’s Jekyll and Hyde for the entirety of his 17-year career: a no-doubt future Hall of Famer in the regular season and an all-time disaster class in the playoffs.

The Cleveland Cavaliersacquired Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers around the February trade deadline, hoping he would be the difference in a playoff run, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

The Cavaliers did reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018, LeBron James’ last season with the franchise, but it wasn’t thanks to Harden. And once the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks snatched their souls in a dominant sweep, punctuated by a 37-point Game 4 victory to punch their first ticket to the NBA Finals since 1999.

But when asked how much better the Knicks are than the Cavaliers after Monday’s Game 4, Harden hesitated.

“I can’t even answer that question, honestly,” Harden said. “Yeah, it was 4-0, but I don’t think we had a chance, as far as our best shot from a standpoint of the circumstances. They dominated us 4-0, but I don’t know if I can necessarily answer that question, just because, genuinely, I do feel like we are the better team. But, series-wise, we didn’t show it.”

In some ways, that’s an admirable stance to take. Silver linings! Self-belief in the face of defeat! Keep the faith! But, objectively speaking, the Knicks were better in every possible facet.

Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson was probably pleased to hear Harden’s take, however. Atkinson went viral for saying the Cavaliers were “analytically” winning the series, even though the Knicks held a 3-0 lead.

“We’re two out of three in the expected wins,” Atkinson told reporters Sunday. “I don’t know if you guys follow that, the expected score. We’ve won two out of three.”

Whatever helps the Cavaliers sleep at night this summer.

Against the Knicks, Harden had his worst statistical series since departing Oklahoma City for Houston in 2012. He shot 38.9% from the field, including 17.9% from 3, and averaged 16 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.

Harden also averaged 4.3 turnovers and had more turnovers than made field goals in two of the four games against the Knicks and in seven of the Cavaliers’ 18 playoff games.

Harden’s playoff performance will be remembered most for getting cooked by Jalen Brunson in isolation defense during the Knicks’ historic 22-point fourth-quarter comeback to stun the Cavaliers in Game 1.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 1:34 PM.