Clippers' James Harden: Poor shooting in season-ending loss
Rotowire
Harden finished with 16 points (5-16 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, 13 assists, one block and two steals over 43 minutes during Friday's 114-101 loss to Dallas in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Harden was one of the players the Clippers needed to have step up with Kawhi Leonard (knee) sidelined, but the veteran guard didn't come through. He was particularly woeful in the final two games of the series, during which he went 7-for-28 from the field, including 1-for-13 from three-point range. He averaged 21.2 points and 8.0 assists per game in the series, but the numbers don't tell the whole story, as the Clippers needed -- and expected -- more out of him, but he couldn't deliver when called upon.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Limited impact in Game 5 loss
Rotowire
Harden amassed seven points (2-12 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and seven assists over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Harden was a non-factor in the loss, a far cry from what he has been able to deliver thus far in the series. Both he and Paul George had off nights, much to the joy of Mavericks fans. The Clippers are now one loss away from elimination, a result that would leave the future of the current squad in some doubt. If they are to force a Game 7, Harden is going to need to rediscover his early-series form.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: All-around outing in Game 4 win
Rotowire
Harden produced 33 points (12-17 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal in 40 minutes during Sunday's 116-111 victory over Dallas in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Harden stepped up alongside teammate Paul George to lift Los Angeles to a much-needed win in Game 4 to even the series at 2-2 entering Game 5. Harden posted a team-high-tying point total while connecting on a quartet of threes in a balanced showing. Harden reached the 30-point mark for the first time of the series, also logging his highest rebound total of the postseason thus far.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Nears 30 points as top scorer
Rotowire
Harden recorded 28 points (8-17 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 6-6 FT), two rebounds, eight assists and two blocks over 39 minutes during Sunday's 109-97 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Harden returned for the start of the postseason after missing the Clippers' regular-season finale with a right foot inflammation and went on to lead all players in threes made and assists in a near-30-point double-double in a winning effort. Harden posted at least 28 points in six games during the regular season, adding eight or more assists in each of those outings. Sunday marked his fifth game of the year, both regular season and postseason, with six or more threes made.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Recovered from injury
Rotowire
Coach Tyronn Lue said Tuesday that Harden (foot) is "good to go", Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Harden missed the Clippers' regular-season finale with a right foot inflammation but should be available for Sunday's Game 1 against the Mavericks. The star guard will likely reclaim his starting spot from Xavier Moon.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Out for regular-season finale
Rotowire
Harden (foot) will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Rockets, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.
The Clippers are opting to sit most their starters ahead of playoff competition, which will result in Xavier Moon and Terance Mann starting in Los Angeles' backcourt. Harden will have time to get his health back up to par ahead of the team's Round 1 matchup.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Harden is questionable for Sunday's game against the Rockets due to right foot inflammation.
The Clippers already know they'll face the Mavericks in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, so they could very well sit Harden to avoid any further injuries ahead of the postseason. If Harden doesn't play, then Russell Westbrook could have a larger role in the backcourt.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Limited time in return from injury
Rotowire
Harden logged four points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT) and five assists over 10 minutes during Friday's 110-109 loss to the Jazz.
Harden returned Friday from a two-game absence due to a foot injury, playing a limited role along with other Clippers starters as the postseason approaches. Harden led all starters with a handful of assists while adding a quartet of points over just 10 minutes of action. Los Angeles wraps up the regular season Sunday, and it's likely we see Harden play a limited role again, if he plays at all.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Will play Friday
Rotowire
Harden (foot) will play against the Jazz on Friday, Mark Medina of NBA.com reports.
Harden will be returning from a two-game absence, and there's no word of any restrictions. With Kawhi Leonard (knee) still sidelined, Harden could see a boost in usage rate.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Present at shootaround
Rotowire
Harden (foot) was seen at shootaround ahead of Friday's game versus the Jazz, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Harden is officially listed as questionable for Friday's contest due to right foot inflammation that caused him to miss the Clippers' last two contests. However, the star guard's presence at practice is a good sign of his availability against Utah.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Listed as questionable for Friday
Rotowire
Harden (foot) is questionable for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Harden missed Wednesday's loss against the Suns due to right foot inflammation, but it seems he might be back just in time to feature in the final two games of the regular season, knowing a win Friday would lock the Clippers into the fourth seed of the Western Conference. Harden has averaged 13.2 points, 9.5 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game over his last 10 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Remains out for Wednesday's game
Rotowire
Harden (foot) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Suns, Shane Young of Forbes.com reports.
Harden will miss both legs of the Clippers' back-to-backs against the Suns due to right foot inflammation. With Russell Westbrook (hand) questionable, Bones Hyland and Xavier Moon could receive increased playing time. Harden's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Utah.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Ruled out against Phoenix
Rotowire
Harden (foot) won't play against the Suns on Tuesday, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Harden will sit for the first time in April, but his absence doesn't come as a major surprise after he wasn't on the court earlier Tuesday for morning shootaround. Russell Westbrook will start at point guard in Harden's place, and he and Paul George are likely to see significant usage rate spikes with Kawhi Leonard (knee) also sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Sits out shootaround
Rotowire
Harden (foot) was present but didn't participate in the Clippers' morning shootaround ahead of Tuesday's game against the Suns, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports. He's officially considered questionable, per Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com.
Harden has dealt with right foot soreness over the last week but hasn't missed a contest since a two-game absence in mid-March due to a shoulder injury, though he did sit out the entire fourth quarter of Sunday's comeback win over the Cavaliers. Over his past three appearances, Harden has averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 assists and 7.0 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game. If he joins Kawhi Leonard (knee) on the sidelines, Paul George should be the Clippers' go-to offensive option, while Terance Mann, Norman Powell and Amir Coffey would be candidates for extra usage as well.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Scores 22 points vs. Cavs
Rotowire
Harden chipped in 22 points (6-11 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), five rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes during Sunday's 120-118 win over Cleveland.
Harden managed to suit up for Sunday's game after being listed as questionable due to right foot soreness. He was second in the scoring column for the Clippers behind Paul George, and the former's four three-point makes marked the first time he's reached that feat since March 20 against the Trail Blazers. Harden has scored 20-plus points in two of his last three games after failing to reach that mark in his 12 prior appearances. He's averaging 14.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 9.4 assists over 34.5 minutes per game since March 1.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Officially available Sunday
Rotowire
Harden (foot) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game versus Cleveland, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Harden will take his typical place in the starting lineup, with Terance Mann, Paul George, P.J. Tucker and Ivica Zubac flanking him Sunday. Harden has averaged 13.0 points, 10.3 assists and 7.0 rebounds in 34.0 minutes per game across his last three appearances.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Warming up, on track to play
Rotowire
Harden (foot), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland, is taking part in pregame warmups and appears likely to play, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.
The Clippers likely won't officially clear Harden until they release their starting lineup approximately 30 minutes before the 3:30 p.m. ET opening tip. Assuming Harden is cleared to play, he shouldn't operate under any major minutes restriction.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Downgraded to questionable
Rotowire
Harden is questionable for Sunday's game versus Cleveland due to right foot soreness, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Harden has suited up in 11 straight contests for the Clippers, logging no fewer than 31 minutes in any appearance over that span, but his status is in jeopardy for Sunday's game. Russell Westbrook, Terance Mann, Norman Powell and Amir Coffey would likely have enlarged workloads if Harden can't play.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Posts triple-double in blowout
Rotowire
Harden had 13 points (4-10 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 10 rebounds and 15 assists across 33 minutes during Friday's 131-102 win over the Jazz.
Harden has had an excellent run during Kawhi Leonard's (knee) absence, providing elite ancillary numbers across the board. Although his result beyond the arc was atypical, he made solid contributions in secondary categories to earn his third triple-double of the season. Over three games without Leonard, Harden has averaged 13.0 points, 10.3 assists and 7.0 rebounds.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' James Harden: Spurs rally in second quarter
Rotowire
Harden closed with 20 points (6-23 FG, 2-13 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, eight assists and one steal across 38 minutes during Thursday's 102-100 win over the Nuggets.
The Clippers were down by 17 points in the first quarter, but Harden was able to erase Denver's lead with 14 points in the second quarter. In an otherwise subpar shooting night for Harden, he supplied eight assists and six rebounds to offset his poor evening beyond the arc.
