It's usually hard to see James Harden's emotions with that Sasquatch of a beard he has. But on Tuesday night against the New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets star let the whole world see his entire—big word coming up!—ethos.
Early in the third quarter, with the Nets leading by nine points, guard Patty Mills bricked an open three-point attempt. Luckily, Harden was in the right place at the right time. He went hard after the rebound and made an emphatic putback slam. But what was more notable was his wild reaction afterward (via NBA on ESPN).
James Harden was all smiles after the putback SLAM 🔨😃
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/9fhk6wRVzk
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 1, 2021
As history's most profound philosophers would say: Come for the dunk, stay for the celebration.
When asked by reporters after the game, Harden had a hilarious explanation for his rare emotional outburst.
“It might've been my first (putback dunk) of my career, 13 years, so I had to let it out.”
"It mighta been my first one of my career man, 13 years, so I had to let it out, it was't that great when I looked at the highlight but it felt great thats all that matters."
-James Harden after the game on his tip jam celebration pic.twitter.com/116UoEGovU
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) December 1, 2021
The Nets escaped the Knicks, 112-110 to extend their winning streak to six games and improve to 15-6. Backup forward James Johnson canned two free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win.
On top of his latest meme-able moment, Harden led the Nets with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while fellow All-Star Kevin Durant bucked a slow start to end up with 27 points and nine dimes. Guard Kyrie Irving, meanwhile, had zero anything.
James Harden and the Nets can extend their winning streak on Friday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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