Clippers star James Harden gets real on unexpected injury ahead of playoffs

With just a few games remaining to determine which teams will make the playoffs this season, the Los Angeles Clippers face the possibility of losing James Harden due to an injury. The setback occurred on Sunday night when Harden went down on the floor, clutching one of his feet.

The Clippers‘ medical staff quickly attended to Harden, but the veteran guard chose to continue playing, a decision that raised concerns for head coach Tyronn Lue. As the team prepares for the playoffs, the Clippers may be without one of their key players, though they can rely on the strong performances of Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac. Still, losing Harden would be a significant blow, as he remains one of the league’s top players.

Despite the concerning injury, Harden spoke to the media after the game and provided some insight into what happened. He expressed confidence in his ability to recover, though he remains uncertain about how long it will take.

“I’m alright… I rolled my foot. I got bumped, I got kneed in the thigh. I was hopping and I rolled my foot. It’s in the middle of my foot. It’s a foot roll. We’ll see if it heals quickly this time,” Harden said. With those comments, the Clippers will now await further updates from the medical staff regarding the injury.

James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers in the first half at Intuit Dome on December 01, 2024.

Lue comments on Harden’s injury

The head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, is closely monitoring the situation with Harden as the playoffs approach. With limited time for errors, Lue is preparing to adjust his game plan in case Harden’s injury keeps him out longer than expected.

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After the Clippers’ narrow two-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lue shared his thoughts on Harden’s condition. “He’s in the training room right now. I know he hurt his ankle a bit, which is why he couldn’t finish the game. Hopefully, he’ll be okay… but we’ll see,” Lue said.

A few weeks ago, Lue mentioned that he was planning to give Harden some much-needed rest, as the veteran guard had played nearly the entire season without a break. With this injury, it could be the perfect opportunity for Harden to recharge, but it also presents a significant challenge for the Clippers as they fight for a spot in the playoffs.

Harden’s milestone in the Thunder game

Despite his injury, Harden reached a significant milestone in the game against the Thunder, further solidifying his legacy as one of the NBA’s all-time great scorers. With 27,416 career points, he moved up from 12th to 11th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Moses Malone.

At 35 years old and with 15 seasons of experience in the league, Harden’s performance proves that he remains in excellent shape, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.