As the Los Angeles Clippers gear up for their playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, James Harden is confident his team is peaking at the right time. The star guard, who has been a key player for the Clippers this season, spoke to the media about the challenges and excitement surrounding the upcoming matchup.
Harden’s focus is on the Nuggets’ MVP, Nikola Jokic, whose dominant play has been a force all season. When asked about Ivica Zubac’s success in defending Jokic, Harden praised the Clippers center’s ability to match the physicality of the reigning MVP. “Zoo is able to contest with his size,” Harden said. “He knows Jokic’s tendencies and does an unbelievable job contesting his shots in the post.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Harden expressed how important team success is over individual recognition. Though honored to be considered one of the league’s top players, his ultimate goal is winning a championship. “Individual accolades are great, but the goal for us is to be the last team standing,” Harden explained.
For the Clippers, defense will be key in the series. Zubac, who had a career year, highlighted the importance of staying locked in defensively. “Defensively, we have to be great every single night,” Zubac said. “Offensively, it can be anyone’s night, but defensively, that’s the most important thing.”
Harden echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to stay resilient in the playoffs. “There are going to be ups and downs. Whether you’re up 2-0 or down 0-2, you have to remain even-keeled and continue to do your job,” he said.
Zubac’s improved play has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Harden credited Zubac’s growth, noting how much the center has developed over the years. “He’s grown into an elite big in this league,” Harden said. “He’s only going to continue to get better, which is the scary part.”
The Clippers’ roster has many players capable of stepping up on both ends of the floor, including Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, and others. Harden noted that in playoff series, it often comes down to individual matchups and one-on-one play. “We’ve got a handful of guys that can do that—J in the post, myself, Kawhi,” Harden said.
As for his role, Harden is looking forward to the challenge of playing alongside a defensively connected team. “Just knowing I’ve got Zoo behind me—it’s exciting,” he said. “Our entire team has been so connected all year. It makes it fun knowing someone’s got your back.”
The Clippers haven’t faced the Nuggets since January 8, but Harden emphasized how different the team is now with the addition of players like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Ben Simmons. “It’s just a completely different team,” Harden stated, looking ahead to the series.
