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Ramona Shelburne
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Just weeks ago, James Harden and the LA Clippers found themselves struggling near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, struggling to find any silver linings.
but, following their fourth consecutive victory—a 119-105 win against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night at the Intuit Dome—and their 11th win in the last 13 games, the best record in the NBA in that span—Harden expressed to ESPN that he believes the Clippers can “make a full comeback.”
Regaining playoff contention would be remarkable, considering the dismal start the Clippers faced. At one point, they posted a 6-21 record, overshadowed by controversies during a season that began with high hopes.
“Some teams, when things get that bleak, they just let everything fall apart,” Harden remarked. “I’ve had interviews where people ask me, ‘How do you find confidence?’ and my response is, ‘The confidence is there. The losses are frustrating, but the confidence remains.’
“I think making small adjustments and improving our defense significantly has been key for us. … We must take it one game at a time, just like when we were struggling. I believe we can make a complete turnaround, but we need to steadily build momentum as we approach the All-Star break.”
The Clippers are currently a half-game shy of the Memphis Grizzlies, who hold the 10th position and the final spot for the play-in tournament.
Both Harden and Kawhi Leonard are aiming to participate in All-Star Weekend scheduled for Feb. 13-15 at the Intuit Dome. After this recent winning streak, both players are strong candidates. Leonard is averaging 32.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.6 steals during this 11-2 stretch, while Harden is contributing with an average of 24.8 points and 7.8 assists.
“We probably communicate more than anyone else,” Harden said regarding Leonard. “When I noticed him turning it on, I thought, ‘Alright, it’s time to get moving.’ That’s the Kawhi we need. My role is to facilitate, get him going, and get us in rhythm. It’s been a total turnaround.”
plus, Harden recently surpassed Shaquille O’Neal to move into ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, an emotional achievement for a player who grew up in Los Angeles cheering for O’Neal and the Lakers.
“That moment was surreal because as a kid, I watched Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq, the Lake Show, along with Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox—everyone. Passing someone I admired growing up is truly unreal,” Harden reflected.
Regarding his own stint in Los Angeles, Harden dismissed any speculation about wanting to leave his hometown during the Clippers’ struggles early in the season.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Harden explained. “Being home is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I get to play in front of my family, friends, and the people who raised me. It creates a unique feeling. While social media is full of chatter and opinions—it’s just noise for me. I’m living this experience, so I don’t get caught up in what others say or feel.”
“I’m from L.A. and I’m grateful to be here.”
