James Harden sets NBA playoffs single-game record for turnovers
Houston Rockets guard James Harden set an NBA playoffs single-game record for turnovers when he committed his 12th midway through the fourth quarter of Wednesday's Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors.
Harden was also the last player to record 10 turnovers in a playoff game in 2013 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Other players to have recorded 10 turnovers in a playoff game since 1985 include LeBron James (twice), Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Penny Hardaway and Kevin Johnson.
In 1979, New Jersey Nets guard John Williamson committed 11 turnovers in a playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
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The Warriors won Wednesday's game 104–90 to advance to the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Harden finished with 13 turnovers to go along with 14 points on 2-of-11 shooting (10-of-13 FT), six rebounds, five assists and three steals.
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Harden entered Wednesday's game averaging 4.1 turnovers in 16 games this postseason. During the regular season, he averaged 4 over 81 games. His single-game high this postseason was nine (May 4 vs. the Los Angeles Clippers), as was his regular-season high (Dec. 28 vs. San Antonio).
- Mike Fiammetta
