James Harden Identifies Two Career 'What‑Ifs,' Says He's Focused on the Present

Overview

• In a brief clip shared by NBA reporter Michael Scotto, Harden said his career boils down to two what‑if moments and stressed he is living in the moment.
• He referenced the end of the young Thunder core after the 2012 Finals and his subsequent trade from Oklahoma City as one major inflection point.
• He cited Chris Paul’s hamstring injury in the 2018 Western Conference Finals, which sidelined Paul for Games 6 and 7 as Houston lost to Golden State.
• Asked about the Brooklyn Nets trio, he declined to dwell on it; that group was limited by injuries and absences, played only 16 games together at 13–3, and peaked with a 2021 second‑round exit.
• Harden is currently with the Clippers, and he previously remarked in 2024 that the Thunder might have won at least two titles had their core stayed intact.