While many of the all-time great NBA players have had their fair share of legendary moments, there are also times where certain superstars had some serious postseason letdowns.
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5.) James Harden - Game 7, 2025 First Round (Clippers vs. Nuggets)
In an elimination Game 7 vs. the Denver Nuggets, Clippers superstar James Harden contributed a mere 7 points, while shooting 1-for-8 from the field. Due to Harden's lackluster performance, the Clippers lost in blowout fashion, 120-101. Unfortunately, this further adds fuel to Harden's playoff criticisms, as in the last 13 elimination games, he has a 2-11 record.
Honorable mention: Game 6, 2017 Western Conference Semifinals (Rockets vs. Spurs), Harden scored 10 points (2-11 FG) and had 6 turnovers in a 114-75 blowout loss.
4.) Kobe Bryant - Game 5, 1997 Western Conference Semifinals (Lakers vs. Jazz)
While Kobe accumulated five championships throughout his career, in his rookie season he struggled in one game in particular, Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Kobe put up 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting, yet what was remembered most from this game is that the 18-year-old future superstar had multiple airballs in overtime, which led to the 98-93 playoff-eliminating loss to the Utah Jazz.
3.) LeBron James — Game 4, 2011 NBA Finals (Heat vs. Mavericks)
If there was one blemish on LeBron James' career, it would be his first NBA Finals appearance with the Miami Heat in 2011. In particular in Game 4, he scored only 8 points on 3-of-11 shooting. The Mavs won 86-83, to tie up the series 2-2, and later also came out on top in the next two games to secure a championship. For the series LeBron averaged 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists. In view of his Game 4 performance, it's extra shocking considering LeBron is currently on an NBA record 18-year run of 1,243 consecutive regular-season games scoring double-digit points.
2.) Karl Malone — Game 6, 1999 Western Conference Semifinals (Jazz vs. Trail Blazers)
Karl Malone, who ranks third on the all-time NBA scoring list, scored 8 points (3-of-16 FG shooting) in the 1999 playoff-eliminating 92-80 loss to the Portland Trailblazers. This was heartbreaking for the Jazz as they were looking to secure a title following the end of the Chicago Bulls-Michael Jordan era.
Honorable mention: During the 1997 Western Conference Semifinals, in a Game 3 104-84 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Malone shot 2-of-20 from the field.
1.) John Starks - Game 7, 1994 NBA Finals (Knicks vs. Rockets)
In the winner-take-all Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals, Knicks star player John Starks may have had one of the worst games of his career. That is, he put up a stat line of 2 points (2-for-18 FG; 0-for-11 3PT). Needless to say, Starks' shooting woes led to the Knicks losing 90-84 to the Houston Rockets. Over three decades later, many still view this as the worst shooting performances in NBA Finals history.
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