NBA Twitter reacts to James Harden, Sixers falling to Celtics in Game 3
The Philadelphia 76ers returned home to the Wells Fargo Center as their Eastern Conference semifinal series shifted to South Philly. They were able to knock off the Boston Celtics in Game 1 on the road to steal the home-court advantage and were now looking to stay hot at home.
Instead, the Celtics walked away with a 114-102 victory to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Boston had six players score double-digits led by 27 points from Jayson Tatum and 23 points from Jaylen Brown. They out-rebounded Philadelphia 13-6 in the fourth quarter to put a halt to any rally the Sixers had in them.
MVP Joel Embiid had 30 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks as he had himself a very solid night. However, James Harden struggled as he shot just 3-for-14 and 2-for-7 from deep for 16 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds. He also had five turnovers on the night.
NBA Twitter gave its best reactions to the Sixers dropping Game 3:
when Harden was calming everyone down after the Game 1 final buzzer saying "it's just one game" i didnt realize he was talking about himself.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 6, 2023
Sixers making Harden go back to Vegas before game 4 pic.twitter.com/fXUum2EOQt
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 6, 2023
doris burke: and here’s james harden with a chance to cut the lead!!
james harden: pic.twitter.com/4yIKBUG3Ge— kos (@kostancaaa__) May 6, 2023
I hope PJ Tucker is having a heart to heart with James Harden in the locker room right now… pic.twitter.com/pcDjbDckXQ
— Roy Burton (@TheBSLine) May 6, 2023
James Harden singlehandedly won the Sixers Game 1.
He is currently singlehandedly losing the Sixers Game 3.
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) May 6, 2023
FINAL: Celtics 114, Sixers 102
After a wonderful pregame MVP ceremony, Joel Embiid was the only Sixer who brought it. The Sixers trail Boston in the series, 2-1, after a brutal showing, especially from James Harden. Tyrese Maxey also struggled mightily.
Game 4 Sunday afternoon.
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) May 6, 2023
James Harden – 16 PTS on 3/14
Tyrese Maxey – 13 PTS on 4/16
Tobias Harris – 7 PTS on 3/6An extremely disappointing showing from Embiid’s supporting cast. pic.twitter.com/v6cYwng2aF
— Did The Sixers Win? (@DidTheSixersWin) May 6, 2023
Joel Embiid with 30 points.
No other Sixer had more than 16.James Harden and Tyrese Maxey 7-30
Sixers down 2 Games to 1 pic.twitter.com/AUUpn0igYN
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 6, 2023
James Harden has made 3 of his last 23 shots after dropping 45 points in Game 1, and the shots he's *not* taking are just as frustrating as the shots that he's missing.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 6, 2023
Bench James Harden. Straight up. Its his fault theyre losing.
— Hoops Reference (@HoopsReference) May 6, 2023
James Harden’s last 2 games:
12 PTS – 2/14 FGM – 0/6 3PM
16 PTS – 3/14 FGM – 2/7 3PM pic.twitter.com/P3Wpwgs2eX— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 6, 2023
James Harden in series vs. Celtics 👀
Game 1: 45 PTS, 39 MIN, 6 AST, 7 3PM, 17 FGM
Games 2 and 3 COMBINED: 28 PTS, 73 MIN, 15 AST, 2 3PM, 5 FGM pic.twitter.com/0KIiMyovyJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 6, 2023
The Sixers’ season comes down to Sunday.
Put James Harden in a bacta tank for the next 36 hours.
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) May 6, 2023
James Harden is shooting 17.9% since his huge performance in Game 1 😳 pic.twitter.com/V9JwjSuR9l
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 6, 2023
James Harden: from 45 points to get-me-back-to-Houston nightmare. Appreciate him giving Embiid an MVP Rolex. But it would matter a lot more if he'd just give Embiid some HELP.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 6, 2023
Need PJ Tucker to have one of those Bball Paul chats with James Harden.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 6, 2023
Final: Celtics 114, Sixers 102
Boston takes 2-1 lead in this series.
Jayson Tatum finishes with 27, including a couple daggers late.
Joel Embiid had 30 and 13 for Philly, but Tyrese Maxey and James Harden combined to shoot 7-for-29 overall, and 2-for-14 on 2s
Game 4 is Sunday
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 6, 2023
Congratulations, Joel Embiid. 🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 5, 2023
James Harden the last two games:
• 5/28 FG (18%)
• 2/13 3PT (15%)— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) May 6, 2023
