The Los Angeles Clippers have quietly bounced back in dramatic fashion, overpowering the Kings at home and witnessing James Harden rediscover his rhythm. But rewind just two days earlier, and BD Cricket reporters noted how drastically different Harden’s situation looked. After a humiliating home loss to a Nuggets squad missing Nikola Jokic, the Clippers were outplayed by veterans Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan. Harden took the brunt of the blame, even getting exposed defensively in the final moments by his former teammate Reggie.
Since joining the Clippers, Harden has faced a completely new challenge unlike any other point in his career. He’s no longer the sole offensive engine but must now share touches with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. While he’s made efforts to adapt, the change in role has led to noticeable drops in production. For someone once considered among the league’s most lethal scorers, scoring no more than 16 points across his last five games was hard to justify to fans. Criticism followed swiftly after the previous loss, with the media quick to pounce.
Harden clearly felt the heat, and it seems the Clippers coaching staff did too. In tonight’s game, perhaps by design, he was given greater offensive freedom. Right from the opening possession, Kawhi drew defenders and kicked it to Harden, who drained a catch-and-shoot three with no hesitation. That shot opened the floodgates, setting the tone for a first-quarter explosion. As the saying goes, nothing is scarier than someone with nothing to lose. The Kings had underestimated him, focusing their defensive schemes on Kawhi and paying the price for it.
Harden torched them early, piling up points with vintage flair. One highlight saw him slice through defenders with a Euro step reminiscent of his prime Houston days. By the second quarter, once Sacramento adjusted, Harden shifted gears. Coming off the bench midway through the quarter, he switched back into a floor general role—reading the floor, setting up plays, and anchoring the offense. His quick steal and alley-oop to Kawhi electrified the crowd, followed by a slick dish to George for an easy three.
From that point on, the Clippers’ offense flowed like a well-oiled machine, a far cry from the clunky isolation-heavy possessions that plagued them early in the season. In the second half, the show continued: Harden threw a picture-perfect lob to Kawhi for a thunderous dunk, then fed Mann and Zubac with pinpoint passes, giving the role players a chance to shine. As Harden kept the Kings’ defense in motion, gaps widened, and Sacramento’s structure crumbled.
Kawhi seized the opportunity with back-to-back highlight plays: a hammer dunk over JaVale McGee and a baseline scoop layup in mid-air that echoed prime Michael Jordan. As BD Cricket analysts noted, the Kings—already known for their offense-first mentality—had exhausted themselves in a comeback win over the Warriors the night before. By the second half, their energy reserves were spent, and though they kept fighting, their efforts felt like firing blanks from a bent bow.
It’s true that Harden has aged and isn’t the explosive athlete he once was, but dismissing his ability based on that alone would be shortsighted. Tonight proved he still possesses his full offensive arsenal. His stats often dip because the team’s system demands sacrifice from all three stars. But with Harden embracing that challenge and finding ways to shine within the structure, the Clippers look increasingly dangerous.
If the Clippers’ core trio continues to build chemistry and refine their rhythm, BD Cricket believes their collective talent will be more than enough to strike fear across the NBA. This win wasn’t just a response—it was a warning shot.