By james art INGLEWOOD — Four games is a small sample size to gauge how each player will finish the season. But it’s hard not to imagine the heights James Harden will reach this season.
The three-time top scorer is already, without the inhibitions of two other stars, achieving results far beyond those he achieved last season.
“It’s a different team, different circumstances,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Last year coming in — with PG (Paul George) and Kawhi (Leonard) — he didn’t want to step on anybody’s toes coming to another player’s team — he was just trying to fit in.”
But then there will be flaws, like Harden’s poor shooting performance in Wednesday night’s 106-105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Intuit Dome. It was the fourth time in as many games for the Clippers that the outcome was decided in the final minute.
Harden missed 12 of 18 shots but still managed to hit five 3-pointers for 19 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in Game 1 of their second straight set this season. The Clippers (2-2) host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
“I think they were just trying to wear him down,” Lue said. “They were throwing different bodies at him, pressing him full court, leaning on him in the half court, blocking over the top, just trying to wear him down.
“They have great defenders and so they could throw multiple bodies at him and that’s what they did tonight.”
Although he wasn’t his team’s leading scorer — a distinction that belonged to Norman Powell (30 points) — Harden seemed to have his hands in all areas. The 35-year-old point guard found teammates for baskets, made threes, dived for turnovers, made rebounds and forced rebounds in his 32 minutes.
Powell said the team, which lost to the Blazers for the first time since 2021, needs to stick together to avoid close games.
“We’re really, really focusing on what we need to do offensively and defensively, being tied up, getting guys out of their comfort zone defensively and rebounding as a group, finishing possessions,” Powell said. “I think they got a lot of extra possessions that kept them in the game and gave them some good looks after playing really good defense for 24 seconds.
“So learning how to execute and close games on the defensive end and then offensively just continue to execute and continue to take our time without letting teams pressure us or rush late games.”
Anfernee Simons scored 25 points and Deandre Ayton had 15 points and 12 rebounds to pace Portland. Denny Avdia added 13 points and 10 rebounds and made a game-winning block when he beat Powell on a fast break with 29 seconds left to preserve a one-point lead.
Scoot Henderson added 14 points and Toumani Kamara had 12 for Portland, which trailed throughout the fourth quarter until Simons made the go-ahead with 2:44 left.
The Clippers made just one field goal and scored just three points in the final 3:30. After taking a 102-99 lead on Harden’s 3-pointer with 3:35 left, they turned the ball over twice, blocked two shots and went 1-for-4 at the free throw line to let the game slip away.
Ivica Zubac got to the line in the Clippers’ 106-105 loss with 1:20 left, but he missed both free throws. The Clippers never got another shot.
“We have to find a way to win. Obviously we want to blow teams out, but if that’s not the case, then we’re going to find ways to win,” Harden said. “Every scenario is different. We just didn’t capitalize and close tonight. There’s no way I’m going to miss penalty kicks.”
With Leonard still sidelined with inflammation in his right knee, the Clippers are increasingly relying on Harden. And the 16-year veteran took on the challenge.
“This year was completely different,” Lu said. “We need him to score a lot more goals, we need his ability to pass and play. So I think he feels good and we have to see how he is for the rest of the season.”
From the start of Wednesday’s game, Harden was on top. He found Powell, who cut to the basket for the first two points. Minutes later, he connected with Terrence Mann on a dunk and the Clippers took an 8-0 lead.
He continued.
Given the makeup of this year’s Clippers team, Lue said any player could be activated at any time. “It could be anybody’s night,” Lue said. “You hope your guys make their shots.”
As it turned out, it wasn’t just Harden’s night, it was Powell’s as well. The 31-year-old veteran is averaging 24.7 points in four games.
The Blazers made it tough on Harden and the Clippers late when turnovers and missed opportunities cost them a chance at a third straight victory.
After taking a quick lead, the Clippers’ offense slowed and then suffered a turnover early in the second quarter. The Blazers, behind first-half scoring by Ayton and Simons, built a 54-43 lead before Coffey made back-to-back baskets, including a 3-pointer, to pull the Clippers within six, 54-48. Powell’s floater at the buzzer made it a four-point game.
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