James Harden spoke confidently after the Los Angeles Clippers’ commanding 117-83 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday. The Clippers took a 2-1 lead with the dominant victory, bolstered by Harden’s leadership and a resounding team effort.
The Clippers never looked back after a dominant 10-0 run to end the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Harden, who contributed 20 points, highlighted the importance of early aggression. “Me being aggressive is not just scoring; it’s facilitating and doing other things,” he said. “We knew other guys who hadn’t made shots in the first two games would make shots, and we did that tonight.”
Defensively, the Clippers were relentless, holding the Nuggets to just 83 points. “We’ve been that way all year long,” Harden said. “Defense is our calling. It keeps us in the game.” The Clippers’ defense was on full display as they forced turnovers and limited Denver’s scoring opportunities.
Harden also praised the team’s camaraderie and defensive chemistry. “We have each other’s back,” he noted. “Everybody understands who each other is and accepts them for who they are. That’s what makes this team so special.” The Clippers’ ability to cover for each other’s mistakes was crucial, especially after a disappointing Game 1 showing, where they committed 20 turnovers.
The Clippers’ 18 three-pointers played a significant role in the blowout, with Norman Powell contributing 20 points off the bench. Kawhi Leonard added a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Nuggets struggled, with Nikola Jokic’s triple-double (23 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists) unable to prevent the blowout.
“Jokic is something special,” Harden remarked, acknowledging the challenge that Denver poses despite the one-sided scoreline. “We can’t get too high. We’re not celebrating. We did what we’re supposed to do.”
The Clippers also capitalized on Denver’s injuries, with Russell Westbrook dealing with foot inflammation and Michael Porter Jr. playing through a shoulder issue. The Nuggets struggled to find rhythm, and the Clippers’ bench outscored Denver’s reserves 31-6.
With Game 4 looming, Harden and the Clippers know there’s more work to be done. “We’ve got to prepare for Game 4 now,” Harden emphasized. “It’s going to be tougher, and we’ve got to mentally prepare for that.”
