Could James Harden's Post-Season Success Hamper His Reunion With Rockets?

After his second 40-plus performance against the Celtics, would James Harden's playoff success with the 76ers hinder his potential return to the Houston Rockets?

HOUSTON — Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden, despite a pair of questionable performances, has reminded the basketball world of his greatness throughout the 2023 NBA playoffs.

Sunday afternoon inside the Wells Fargo Center, Harden led the 76ers to a 116-115 Game 4 victory over the Boston Celtics. He scored a game-best 42 points shooting 16-for-23 from the field, 6-for-9 from behind the arc. And in the final seconds, Harden knocked down a go-ahead triple to give Philadelphia a one-point lead.

Harden's performance marked the second time he scored 40 or more points against the Celtics. He led the 76ers to a Game 1 victory in the absence of MVP Joel Embiid on May 1 with a post-season career-best of 45 points inside TD Garden.

Harden's heroics have the 76ers and Celtics even at two games each entering Game 5. But his recent post-season success may hamper his potential return to the Houston Rockets.

His future with the 76ers remains as a fluid situation. At 33 years old, playoffs success and the possibility of landing a long-term contract are the primary factors that could determine Harden's fate in Philadelphia.

Winning a championship is the ultimate objective for the 76ers. But with Philadelphia two wins away from their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2001, it would not be a surprise if making the final four would be enough for the 76ers to award Harden with his last career max contract. 

Philadelphia has tried to pair Embiid with an All-Star-caliber teammate with Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons. But a trip to the conference finals with Harden would make for the 76ers' most successful pairing.

Harden signed a two-year $68.6 million contract with the Sixers in June but could re-enter free agency in July. He will be eligible to sign a four-year deal worth over $200 million if he chooses to re-sign with the 76ers.

In December, ESPN said it was a "strong option" that Harden could return to the Rockets this summer. He considers Houston home and is intrigued by the young talent the Rockets have collected since his departure in January 2021.

The Rockets' young corps was on display during an overtime victory over the 76ers on Dec. 5 inside the Toyota Center. Jalen Green scored a team-best 27 points, while Kevin Porter Jr. added 24. James Harden finished with 21 points on 4-of-19 shooting in the loss. 

Harden to the Rockets isn't as guaranteed as one might believe. And a series victory over the Celtics could be enough to end doubts of Harden departing the City of Brotherly Love for the Bayou City.

Harden is currently averaging 28.8 points, 7.5 assists and 6.3 rebounds through the first four games against the Celtics.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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