Sixers’ James Harden takes Patty Mills’ ankles with icy step-back that leaves Twitter amazed

James Harden didn’t actually break Patty Mills’ ankles on this filthy step-back triple. After targeting the Aussie veteran in pick-and-roll action, the Philadelphia 76ers star clearly used a forearm shiver to get Mills off-balance and send him to the floor, then calmly sank a pull-up three as Joe Harris closed.

Down Joel Embiid with the opportunity to sweet the Brooklyn Nets, though, rest assured Philadelphia will take whatever it can get offensively in Game 4.

James Harden DROPS Patty Mills and buries the triple pic.twitter.com/RohB2eOWM4

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 22, 2023

Twitter seemed split as to whether Harden dropped Mills with a forceful arm bar or sudden step-back. Either way, his highlight-reel play had the basketball world talking.

James Harden out here breaking ankles

: @NBCSPhillypic.twitter.com/9whl3J6PQd

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 22, 2023

The James Harden stepback three never gets old pic.twitter.com/8t6M6xHNuT

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 22, 2023

James Harden just sent Patty Mills flying pic.twitter.com/SpAwKvIXxW

— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) April 22, 2023

Patty Mills guarding James Harden, presented without further comment: pic.twitter.com/vr4CteA2zn

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 22, 2023

Now Harden drops Patty Mills and hits the three. Poor Patty Mills, man

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) April 22, 2023

Harden lacks the burst and explosiveness of his MVP heyday, one of the biggest reasons why he entered Game 4 just 7-of-20 from two-point range in the playoffs, overly reliant on pull-up triples. Can Harden rise to the challenge of being the Sixers’ undisputed alpha dog in a close-out game on the road with Embiid sidelined?

Doing so could go a long way toward Philly advancing deep into the playoffs. With Embiid out due to a right knee sprain, the Sixers need as much time off as possible before a seemingly imminent second-round matchup with the Boston Celtics.

James Harden will need to be at his best for Philadelphia to dethrone the reigning Eastern Conference champions. Let’s see if he can consistently tap into that peak to lead the Sixers to a sweep over the Nets on Saturday.

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