The story of a lone hero is happening again! Harden has become a fig leaf for the Clippers

Sports Weekly All-Media Reporter Li Hui

With 37 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, James Harden burned out again.

In an away game against the Celtics, the Clippers, which had just ended their losing streak, suffered another defeat, but Harden's performance in this game was still enough to win respect. In the last 21 seconds of the game, Harden scored 9 points alone, almost having a Harden moment. In the Clippers' last attack, Zubac received a long pass from his teammate from the baseline and passed it back to Harden. Harden got the opportunity to complete a three-point shot, but unfortunately failed to hit it. If Harden could hit the ball, he would score 12 points in the last 21 seconds and drag the game into overtime.

Entering the last minute, the Clippers basically lost the chance to win, but Harden did not give up. He not only caused a three-point foul, but also made two three-pointers. Throughout the fourth quarter, Harden scored 18 of the 37 points in the game, almost single-handedly winning the opportunity for the Clippers to enter overtime.

In the past period of time, despite the poor performance of the Clippers, Harden's performance was good enough. Against the Mavericks, Harden scored a season-high 41 points and got 14 rebounds and 11 assists. While completing a triple-double, he helped the Clippers end their 6-game losing streak. In the past four games, Harden averaged 39.3 minutes per game, scoring 34 points, 9.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists, shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.9% from three-point range, and 90.5% from free throws. It can be said that Harden has done everything he can do.

The 36-year-old Harden is still the best player on the Clippers this season, and can also be said to be the most powerful player. As of now, Harden has averaged 36.1 minutes per game, ranking 7th in the league. Among the top 10 players in average playing time per game, Harden is the second oldest, only younger than Kevin Durant. However, the Clippers failed to achieve the expected results. Veteran new players such as Bill, Paul, and Lopez failed to play their role. Now Lopez is gradually losing playing time, Bill is reimbursed for the season, and Paul has been DNP. Coupled with Leonard once again being exempted from the game due to injury, the Clippers are once again left with Harden and Zubac to support themselves, especially Harden. As the only player with independent offensive ability on the team, Harden needs to perform at his best in almost every game to have a chance to win.

"If Harden had a helper now, the Clippers' situation wouldn't be so difficult. Leonard and Bill can't play, and Powell leaves the team. This is really difficult." Clippers and team reporters wrote helplessly after the game.

Indeed, since Harden joined the Clippers, he always seemed to play the role of a lone hero. At the beginning of his joining, he was originally only the team's third option on the offensive end. Leonard and George were given higher expectations, but after playing hard, George performed poorly and left the team, Leonard's attendance was very limited, and Harden became almost the team's only support. However, Harden's one-man power is not enough to help the Clippers achieve the results they want. After today's loss to the Celtics, they have lost 7 of the past 8 games. The team's season record has reached 4 wins and 9 losses, ranking 11th in the Western Conference. If this continues, the Clippers and Harden can only accept another losing season.