James Harden Says Clippers Have 'Chance' to Be 'Last Team Standing' in NBA Playoffs
All-Star guard James Harden believes the Los Angeles Clippers may have the pieces needed to win a championship this season.
Speaking to Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Harden said: "We got a chance to be the last team standing, which is easier said than done. But we focus on ourselves. We are playing well right now."
Harden expanded on his thoughts, noting that the Clippers have excelled at both ends of the floor thanks to a core that includes himself, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac.
"I'm so comfortable in my world and what I supposed to be doing out there. I think we got the team. We can play isolation basketball with two great ISO players. We got post game with Zu and Whi. Defensively, we've been really, really good all year. So, for me, it's about just keeping my composure, just going out there and reading the game and doing what I am supposed to be doing."
Although Leonard missed the first 34 games of the season due to injury, the Clippers managed to hang tough thanks to the play of Harden, Zubac, Norman Powell and a host of quality supporting-cast players.
Even at less than full strength for a large chunk of the season, the Clips were able to secure the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 50-32.
The 35-year-old Harden was a big reason why, as he enjoyed his best statistical season since 2020-21, averaging a team-leading 22.8 points per game to go along with 8.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals.
Named an All-Star for the 11th time in his career, the three-time NBA scoring champion and one-time NBA MVP was one of three Clippers players to average at least 21 points per game this season.
Few other teams in the league can boast the same depth of scoring as L.A., which is why it may truly have a chance to make some noise with a deep playoff run.
The Clips are tied 1-1 in their first-round playoff series with the Denver Nuggets, who are just two years removed from winning a championship.
Denver presents a tough matchup since it is led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and rounded out by a strong starting five that also includes Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun.
On Thursday, the Clippers will host the Nuggets in a pivotal Game 3 that could set the tone for the remainder of the series.
James Harden Claps Back at Critics, Says 'Let Them Keep Talking' Ahead of NBA Playoffs
James Harden says he believes his critics will "sooner or later" appreciate his work ethic as he prepares to lead the Los Angeles Clippers into the 2025 NBA postseason.
"I think, sooner or later, people will start to understand and recognize how hard I actually did work, and what I was able to accomplish throughout my career," Harden told NBA insider Chris Haynes (7:45 mark of the video below.)
"So, for now, just let them keep talking, and hopefully they can change the narrative sooner or later."
Harden also told Haynes criticism doesn't bother him "because you don't get to this point, in this elite level a basketball, statistically and everything, without putting the work in."
"You can't even think about getting this far without putting the work in, or having a crazy work ethic," Harden told Haynes. "So that part doesn't bother me, 'cause I'm the one putting the work in.
"But it bothers the people that are around me, that hear and listen to the negative comments, and things like that. Because they see what the hell's going on, they see how hard I work. You know, 16 years, still being an All-Star, All-NBA Team, they should feel that way."
This isn't the first time Harden, who earned his 11th career All-Star nod this season after missing the mark in his past two campaigns, has defended his work ethic amid his age-35 season.
Harden told Overtime's Mike Kaufman in late March that he doesn't feel he gets "enough credit for the work that I put in" especially as he gets older.
"People want to talk about everything else, that they honestly do not know about, but in honesty, the work is being put in," Harden told Kaufman.
Harden is averaging 22.6 points per game, his highest output in three seasons, while adding 8.7 rebounds per night and missing just three games for the Clippers this season.
The Clippers have clinched a postseason spot, but whether Harden and his team have to fight through the play-in round first depends on the results of Sunday's regular-season finale.
A win over the Golden State Warriors could take the Clippers as high as the No. 4 seed, while a loss could risk the team dropping to No. 7 and meeting the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in.
The Clippers are riding a seven-game win streak to which Harden has been key, averaging 23.1 points, 9.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds over the stretch. Harden can look to answer any critics by helping Los Angeles secure a playoff spot with another big game on Sunday.
Clippers' Roster, Salary Cap After Ben Simmons Contract in NBA Free Agency
The Los Angeles Clippers will sign former Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons after he clears waivers, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Simmons agreed to a contract buyout with the Nets and met with the Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers before choosing L.A., per Charania.
Simmons should presumably back up starting point guard James Harden and be a featured member of the second unit for the 28-23 Clippers, who sit seventh in the Western Conference.
Here's a look at how a depth chart could look with Simmons in town.
Depth Chart (h/t ESPN)
PG: James Harden, Ben Simmons, Kris Dunn, Patty Mills
SG: Norman Powell, Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanović
SF: Kawhi Leonard, Amir Coffey, Bogdan Bogdanović
PF: Derrick Jones Jr., Amir Coffey, Nicolas Batum
C: Ivica Zubac, Nicolas Batum, Drew Eubanks
Simmons' contract terms with the Clippers are unknown at this time, but here's a look at where the team was relative to the luxury tax level and the first apron prior to the move, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Per Spotrac, the Clippers had total tax allocations of $168,914,628 on their current roster.
In 33 games (24 starts) this season, Simmons averaged 6.2 points on 54.7 percent shooting, 6.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per contest. He's taken the court in seven NBA seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers and Nets, making the All-Star Game three times and landing on the 2019-20 All-NBA Third Team and a pair of NBA All-Defensive Teams.
Injuries have taken a toll over the years, with a recurring back injury being a troublesome issue. But he's productive when healthy and is a great pickup for the Clippers, who should benefit from his versatility and point guard skills off the bench to help lead the second unit.
Report: Ben Simmons Plans to Sign Clippers Contract After Nets Buyout amid NBA Rumors
Ben Simmons reportedly intends to sign a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers following his contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Simmons will land with the Clippers once he clears waivers.
Simmons was originally owed $40.34 million this season thanks to the expiring five-year, $177 million deal he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019.
Through 33 appearances this season, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists while playing 25 minutes a night.
Simmons, who attempts 5.2 shots per game and doesn't take any from deep, will provide limited shooting for his new team, although his defensive abilities and open-floor playmaking could make him a solid bench addition.
How impactful his signing will be could depend on his health. Simmons appeared in 33 of the Nets' first 51 games as his career-long injury issues continued into the 2024-25 campaign.
When Charania reported Friday that Simmons and the Nets were working toward a buyout, he added that he expected Simmons to "try to join a contender" like the Clippers or Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Athletic's Joe Vardon, Law Murray, and Jenna West reported Simmons was also meeting with the Houston Rockets.
Simmons ultimately signed with the Clippers, who are fighting to stay out of the play-in tournament and hang on to one of the six guaranteed playoff spots in the West.
In order to give James Harden and Kawhi Leonard their best shot at a playoff run this spring, the Clippers spent the trade deadline adding depth pieces like Bogdan Bogdanović.
Having both Bogdanović and Simmons coming off the bench could decrease how much the Clippers have to rely on Harden, and that could be key to keeping him healthy down the stretch.
The Clippers got themselves in potential playoff position this season by running one of the NBA's top two defenses. Getting Simmons in the rotation could help the Clips remain one of the toughest defensive matchups in the league as they gear up for a potential playoff run.
Kawhi Leonard Disappoints NBA Fans in Clippers' Brutal Loss to RJ Barrett, Raptors
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard struggled in a Sunday night reunion with his former team.
Leonard went 6-for-18 from the field for 14 points as a Clippers team missing Norman Powell conceded an 115-108 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors, who lost 10 straight games earlier this season, claimed their sixth win in seven thanks in part to 20 points from RJ Barrett.
The game marked the first time Leonard lost during a game at Scotiabank Arena since Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, per Clippers reporter Justin Russo.
Before the game, the Raptors honored Leonard alongside Powell and Danny Green for the contributions to Toronto's 2019 run as part of the franchise's 30th anniversary celebration.
Leonard did not make his 2024-25 season debut until Jan. 5 after sitting out the first half of the campaign with right knee inflammation.
The same problem sidelined him for the end of the 2023-24 regular season and the beginning of the 2024 postseason. It also stopped him from representing Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
While playing under a minutes restriction, Leonard had averaged 16.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per night heading into Sunday.
He then struggled with shooting accuracy against the Raptors, going 1-for-5 from behind the arc and making just one of four free throw attempts.
Leonard also struggled with four turnovers, several of which were caused by Barrett's aggressive defense. His game ended with two straight missed free throws in the fourth quarter.
The Clippers fall to 28-21 with the loss. Leonard's team is in danger of losing the final guaranteed playoff spot in the West to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Leonard and the Clippers return to action with a Tuesday home game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, who headed into Sunday half a game ahead of the Clippers for the fifth seed in the West.
The Clippers will hope for the return of Powell and better accuracy from Leonard as they prepare for a game that could have serious impact on the conference standings.
Clippers' Updated Roster, Salary Cap, Draft Picks After PJ Tucker, Patty Mills Trade
The Los Angeles Clippers are shedding some salary from the roster.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Clippers were dealing forward P.J. Tucker, center Mo Bamba, a future second-round pick and cash to the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Patty Mills and center Drew Eubanks.
The move sees the two teams shift some depth players but Bobby Marks of ESPN reported that the swapping of salary puts Los Angeles below the luxury tax and gives the team some options to make a move ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Marks also reported that the team has created a $6.4 million and $2.1 million trade exception as a result of the deal.
Here's a look at the current shape of the Clippers roster, salary cap and draft capital following the trade.
Clippers Roster
James Harden
Norman Powell
Kawhi Leonard
Derrick Jones Jr.
Ivica Zubac
Kevin Porter Jr.
Drew Eubanks
Patty Mills
Kris Dunn
Terrance Mann
Amir Coffey
Nicolas Batum
Kobe Brown
Bones Hyland
Jordan Miller
Kai Jones
Salary Cap
$11.4 million in first apron space, per Spotrac
$22.1 million in second apron space, per Spotrac
Draft Picks
2025 1st, 2027 1st, 2029 1st, 2030 1st, 2030 2nd, 2031 1st, 2031 second, future Jazz 2nd, per Fanspo
The Clippers are currently 28-20 and sit in sixth in the Western Conference. Shedding Tucker's $11.5 million contract and replacing it and Bamba's with the cheaper Eubanks and Mills helps the team provide a shakeup in the locker room and also gives the team some flexibility ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA Trade Deadline.
The Clippers reportedly prefer to keep their salary situation "clean" at this year's deadline so a big target may be off the table. However, the extra flexibility from moving off of Tucker should make more depth moves viable as the team prepares for a postseason push.
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard Says Boos from Spurs Fans Cause 'A Little Pain in the Heart'
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard understands that there isn't much love remaining for him within the San Antonio Spurs fanbase.
When asked about fans booing him when he returned to San Antonio, Leonard told reporters, "It's just because of the player I am, and what I've done here. So it's a little pain in the heart still. It's still love in the city wherever I go. But obviously when I put on that different jersey, they have a great fanbase, so they're gonna stick to the Spurs and I'm OK with that."
Leonard spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Spurs, helping lead the team to the 2014 NBA championship. He blossomed into one of the best two-way players in the league during his time in San Antonio, earning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016.
Unfortunately, Leonard's departure from the Spurs was far more contentious than anyone would've expected. After he was limited to just nine games in 2017-18 due to various injuries, many questioned his commitment to the team. He eventually requested a trade and was sent to the Toronto Raptors, who he led to the 2019 NBA championship. He signed with his hometown Clippers the following season.
Leonard's injury woes have followed him to Los Angeles, but he's back to full strength after making his season debut earlier this month. He played 29 minutes in Wednesday's game against the Spurs and scored a season-high 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting while adding seven assists and six rebounds. In his nine appearances this season, he's averaging 16.1 points.
Since Leonard's departure, San Antonio has missed the playoffs in each of the last five years. However, the Spurs have the most promising future star in the NBA in second-year phenom Victor Wembanyama, so their fans will surely get over their ill feelings toward Leonard if the 21-year-old can lead the team back to prominence.