In Game 4 vs Nuggets, the Clipper was unstoppable with the buzzer. Nikola Djokic attempted a shot to win the game. It lasted for a long time, and Aaron Gordon caught the ball and danced it just before time ran out.
It tied up Series 2-2 as the Nuggets returned home for Game 5 on Tuesday night. LA lost Game 131-115, down 3-2 in the series, and heads home for Game 6. ESPN’s Romona Shelbourne had some inexplicable statistics about Harden’s Game 5 performance. Last night, the Clippers averaged 0.72 points on 35 plays involving Harden. Both of these were his lowest output in this series.
James Harden had no effect on the Clippers in Game 5
If James Harden felt less involved tonight, he wasn’t. According to @spnstatsinfo LA averaged only 0.72 points per play where 35 Plays Harden was involved. Both are the lowest marks in the series.
– Ramonashelburne (@Ramonashelburne) April 30, 2025
All five of the Clippers starters scored in double digits last night. Ivica Zubac led LA with 27 points. James Harden had the lowest scoring game with 11 points as the starter of the team. He was 3-9 from the field and 0-2 over the arc. Harden played in 35 minutes and was the worst team on the team when he was in court. The Clippers’ defense was Denver with 29 assists in Game 5.
James Harden’s play in Game 5 was not intended to cut it for the Clippers. This was his worst offensive output this series. His previous Low was 15 points in Game 4. In the second straight game, Harden skipped media availability. It doesn’t look great for a veteran security guard. James Harden played well offensively, perhaps the difference between the Clippers in Games 4 and 5.
Instead, they lose two straights and are eliminated when they lose Game 6. The series returns to the Intuit Dome on Thursday night. LA needs vintage performances from James Harden in Game 6. He scored over 30 points in this series. It was in Game 1. What kind of performance will a 35 year old perform in Game 6 on Thursday night?