The Clippers won, 118 to 95, pulling off a stunning victory on the Mavericks' home court. This time, it's really impressive; without Doncic and Irving, the Mavericks are like toothless tigers, looking intimidating but lacking in actual combat effectiveness. Thompson gave it his all, scoring 22 points with 3 assists and 2 steals, but against the Clippers led by Harden, he still seemed somewhat overwhelmed. Fans understand that without those two leaders, winning is not easy.
After the game, Zubac's eyes welled up with tears, his voice trembling as he said, "I must thank Harden." This wasn't just politeness; this big man's performance was truly remarkable, with 21 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, achieving a high shooting percentage of 75%. He has become another legend for the Clippers after Jordan. It's worth noting that during Harden's absence, Powell and Zubac were tightly guarded by their opponents, playing with frustration. Now, with Harden back, everything has become much smoother.
Harden, although he didn't use all his skills in this game, still put up an impressive stat line of 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. He's like a magnet, drawing the opponent's defense towards him and creating countless opportunities for his teammates! Powell took advantage of this gap to explode, scoring 29 points. This kind of teamwork is simply amazing!
The second half was even more exciting, with the Clippers' multi-star lineup starting to show its power. Powell and Zubac took turns responding to Thompson's counterattacks. Every time Thompson started to gain momentum, he was knocked back by the Clippers' combination punches. This spirit of team collaboration had the audience cheering with excitement. Everyone was thinking: if they can continue to play like this in the next few games, can the Clippers really push into the top four in the West?
As for Harden's role, it's hard to overstate. Since joining the Clippers, he immediately took up the mantle of leadership. He commands on the court and boosts morale off it, excelling at both. Leonard is also a leader of the team, but he speaks less, letting his actions do the talking. In contrast, Harden is more like a talkative older brother, always able to say encouraging words at key moments. It feels like everyone loves having a good friend who can liven up the atmosphere.
Zubac once said, "Harden is a rare good teammate. Playing with him is very comfortable because he knows how to read the game and has extremely high basketball IQ." Indeed, Harden not only has high basketball intelligence but is also adept at using wisdom to solve problems. For example, when Powell suffered a hamstring injury, Harden advised him to fully recover before returning, showing genuine concern for his teammate. For Leonard, Harden always patiently waits, telling everyone not to rush and to wait for his return.
After the game, the Clippers' record has improved to sixth in the West. Seeing Leonard and Powell laughing and joking on the bench, everyone felt warm inside. Harden's presence is like injecting vitality into the entire team, allowing everyone to find their place. The most pressing question now is: can the Clippers maintain their winning streak in the upcoming games against the Mavericks and Grizzlies? What surprises will this Clippers team led by Harden bring to fans after Leonard returns?
Harden brings more than just statistical improvements to the Clippers; more importantly, he brings cohesion and fighting spirit. He influences each player in his own way, helping them find their best form in the game. As the season progresses, there will undoubtedly be more stories about Harden and the Clippers to look forward to. What changes do you think Harden will bring to the Clippers? Such questions make us忍不住 follow along, thinking and expecting together.