James Harden, one of the NBA's most prolific scorers, has a glaring hole in his resume: he’s never beaten a superstar-led team in the playoffs. From Curry’s Warriors to Durant and even rising stars like Luka Dončić, Harden’s postseason failures against elite competition raise questions about his legacy. In this analysis, we break down his 23 playoff series—where he’s won just 10—and examine why he consistently falls short when it matters most. Is it bad luck, poor execution, or something deeper? Let’s dive in.