Game ID: 22301052
LA Clippers @ Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHI 30 20 29 28 107LAC 18 28 29 33 108
LAC @ PHI ScoutingLAC @ PHI Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
PHI availability going into 3/20 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 22 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Harris missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 10 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 36 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 3 since 3/14, returns tonight: 12 min (102% of 12)
BACK Maxey back 3/12 after 4, 37 min since (96% of 38)
NEW Reed 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 23 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Harris missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 41 min (120% of 34)
OUT Melton missed 11 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 37 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/12 after 4, 35 min since (92% of 38)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Reed 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 24 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 12 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 38 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 41 min since (120% of 34)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Bamba 13 to 24 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Embiid missed 25 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 13 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 39 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 39 min since (116% of 34)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Bamba 13 to 24 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 26 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 14 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 40 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 35 min since (102% of 34)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/20 after 3, 12 min since (102% of 12)
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 27 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 15 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 41 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 2 since 3/25, out tonight
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 36 min since (105% of 34)
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Martin 12 to 18 min over the last 4
PHI availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 28 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Melton missed 16 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 42 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 2 since 3/27, returns tonight: 10 min (84% of 12)
OUT Dowtin Jr. missed 3 since 3/25, returns tonight: 5 min (41% of 12)
BACK Harris back 3/22 after 3, 35 min since (104% of 34)
NEW Bamba 13 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Embiid missed 29 since 2/01, returns tonight: 29 min (85% of 35)
OUT Melton missed 17 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 43 since 1/02, out tonight
BACK Martin back 3/31 after 2, 10 min since (84% of 12)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/31 after 3, 5 min since (41% of 12)
PHI availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Maxey missed 2 since 3/31, returns tonight: 41 min (109% of 38)
OUT Melton missed 18 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT Covington missed 44 since 1/02, not on tonight's roster
BACK Embiid back 4/02 after 29, 29 min since (85% of 35)
BACK Martin back 3/31 after 2, 11 min since (90% of 12)
BACK Dowtin Jr. back 3/31 after 3, 5 min since (41% of 12)
LAC availability going into 3/20 · 2 days' restOUT Westbrook missed 9 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/10 after 5, 23 min since (156% of 15)
BACK Boston back 3/10 after 4, 9 min since (93% of 10)
NEW Hyland 14 to 21 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Powell missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Westbrook missed 10 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 23 min since (156% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Powell missed 3 since 3/17, returns tonight: 25 min (93% of 26)
OUT Westbrook missed 11 since 3/03, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 35)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 20 min since (131% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Westbrook missed 12 since 3/03, returns tonight: 18 min (82% of 22)
BACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 36 min since (102% of 35)
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 25 min since (93% of 26)
BACK Tucker back 3/15 after 2, 20 min since (131% of 15)
LAC availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restBACK Harden back 3/17 after 2, 35 min since (101% of 35)
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (105% of 26)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 18 min since (82% of 22)
NEW Coffey 21 to 26 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Theis missed 2 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 2 since 3/25, out tonight
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (107% of 26)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 18 min since (80% of 22)
NEW Coffey 21 to 26 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Theis missed 3 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 2 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 3 since 3/25, out tonight
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (105% of 26)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 18 min since (80% of 22)
LAC availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Theis missed 4 since 3/25, returns tonight: 18 min (106% of 17)
OUT Tucker missed 2 since 3/29, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 3 since 3/27, returns tonight: 8 min (55% of 14)
OUT Boston missed 4 since 3/25, returns tonight: 21 min (212% of 10)
BACK Powell back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (104% of 26)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 18 min since (82% of 22)
LAC availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 3 since 3/29, returns tonight: 17 min (111% of 15)
BACK Westbrook back 3/25 after 12, 19 min since (87% of 22)
BACK Theis back 4/02 after 4, 18 min since (106% of 17)
BACK Hyland back 4/02 after 3, 8 min since (55% of 14)
BACK Boston back 4/02 after 4, 21 min since (212% of 10)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 104, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 17 free throws a game; Maxey at 23 and Oubre Jr. at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Embiid (26 straight), Melton (14 straight), Covington (40 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 24 a game. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Philadelphia allowing 104 a night to the Clippers' 117 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-0 a night and Philadelphia minus-5. Call it Philadelphia 113, the Clippers 110, the Clippers keeping it close.
3/20 @ PHX 102-115 — PHI notes
PHI lost 102-115. PHI shot 43% (41 of 95) to PHX's 50%, 13 of 37 from three, and went to the line 18 times to PHX's 8 — 7 points from the stripe to their 6. PHI turned it over 9 times to PHX's 23. The glass went 40-55 against them. Oubre Jr. led with 18 (7 of 20, 2 of 6 from three); Payne added 12, Dowtin Jr. 12. Q4 was theirs, 36-25, the deficit cut from 24 to 13, but the other 3 periods went 90-66 against them. Payne's -20 in 15 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/22 @ LAL 94-101 — PHI notes
PHI lost 94-101. PHI took 23 more shots (96 to 73), fed by 13 offensive rebounds, but shot 34% to LAL's 44%, 8 of 37 from three, and got to the line 24 times to LAL's 33. PHI turned it over 8 times to LAL's 21. The glass went 42-54 against them. Maxey led with 27 (10 of 26, 1 of 9 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Oubre Jr. added 19, Harris 16. Q2 was theirs, 29-26, turning a 1-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 75-65 against them. Harris's -9 in 41 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/24 @ LAC 121-107 — PHI notes
PHI won 121-107. PHI shot 53% (48 of 90) to LAC's 48%, 18 of 37 from three, and got to the line 9 times to LAC's 18. PHI turned it over 8 times to LAC's 13. Maxey led with 24 (9 of 17, 3 of 5 from three); Harris added 24, Payne 23. The hinge was Q1, 41-29: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Reed was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
3/25 @ SAC 96-108 — PHI notes
PHI lost 96-108. PHI shot 41% (34 of 82) to SAC's 44%, 11 of 34 from three, and got to the line 20 times to SAC's 28. PHI turned it over 15 times to SAC's 7. Maxey led with 29 (10 of 16, 5 of 7 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Harris added 12, Wilson 10. Q4 was theirs, 28-25, the deficit cut from 15 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 83-68 against them. Lowry's -22 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/27 vs LAC 107-108 — PHI notes
PHI lost 107-108. PHI shot 48% (39 of 82) to LAC's 44%, 13 of 33 from three. PHI turned it over 12 times to LAC's 6, and LAC turned those into 8 steals. Maxey led with 26 (9 of 20, 3 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Oubre Jr. added 17, Hield 17. Q1 was theirs, 30-18, but the other 3 periods went 90-77 against them. They led by as many as 15. Batum's -7 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/29 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Allen at 18 and Garland at 15 a game. Without Mitchell (6 straight), Wade (10 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Maxey at 22 and Harris at 16 a game. Without Embiid (27 straight), Melton (15 straight), Covington (41 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Cleveland 110, Philadelphia 107, Philadelphia keeping it close.
3/31 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 120, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 17 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 21 and Dick at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 16 a night. Without Barrett (8 straight), Quickley (5 straight). 3 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and Harris at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Embiid (28 straight), Melton (16 straight), Covington (42 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been plus-2 a night and Toronto minus-16 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 18 times a game to Philadelphia's 10. Call it Philadelphia 113, Toronto 109, Toronto keeping it close.
4/02 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 44 from three, 16 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and Harris at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Embiid (29 straight), Melton (17 straight), Covington (43 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jal. Williams at 23 and Giddey at 23 a game. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been plus-6 a night and OKC minus-3 and the arc, Philadelphia at 44 percent from three to OKC's 38. Call it Philadelphia 116, OKC 113, OKC keeping it close.
4/04 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 97, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Rozier at 22 and Adebayo at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Herro (19 straight), Richardson (22 straight), Mills (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 43 from three, 19 free throws a game; Maxey at 24 and Oubre Jr. at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Maxey (2 straight), Melton (18 straight), Covington (44 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 97 a night to Philadelphia's 112. Call it Miami 114, Philadelphia 107.
3/20 @ POR 116-103 — LAC notes
LAC won 116-103. LAC shot 52% (45 of 86) to POR's 48%, 13 of 31 from three. LAC turned it over 11 times to POR's 17. George led with 27 (10 of 18, 4 of 7 from three); Leonard added 24, Harden 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-20: a lead of 10 became 24, and the lead reached 27. George was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
3/22 @ POR 125-117 — LAC notes
LAC won 125-117. LAC shot 57% (44 of 77) to POR's 48%, 14 of 33 from three. LAC turned it over 17 times to POR's 10, and POR turned those into 11 steals. George led with 31 (10 of 14, 4 of 8 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Leonard added 22, Mann 20. The hinge was Q1, 42-27: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 26. George was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
3/24 vs PHI 107-121 — LAC notes
LAC lost 107-121. LAC shot 48% (40 of 83) to PHI's 53%, 10 of 28 from three, and went to the line 18 times to PHI's 9 — 17 points from the stripe to their 7. LAC turned it over 13 times to PHI's 8. Leonard led with 20 (7 of 16, 1 of 6 from three); Powell added 20, George 18. Q2 was theirs, 27-22, the deficit cut from 12 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 99-80 against them. George's -18 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/25 vs IND 116-133 — LAC notes
LAC lost 116-133. LAC shot 54% (46 of 85) to IND's 58%, 6 of 20 from three. Leonard led with 26 (11 of 18); George added 26, Powell 22. Q1 was theirs, 34-29, but the other 3 periods went 104-82 against them. Harden's -24 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/27 @ PHI 108-107 — LAC notes
LAC won 108-107. LAC shot 44% (40 of 90) to PHI's 48%, 14 of 36 from three. LAC turned it over 6 times to PHI's 12. George led with 22 (7 of 18, 5 of 8 from three); Leonard added 17, Harden 16. The hinge was Q2, 28-20: the deficit went from 12 to 4. LAC trailed 46-50 at the half and won the second half 62-57. Coffey was the night's best plus/minus at +6.
3/29 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 101, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Banchero at 20 and F. Wagner at 17 a game. Without Gar. Harris (2 straight), Bitadze (2 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; George at 25 and Leonard at 22 a game. Without Theis (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 101 a night to the Clippers' 116 and the arc, the Clippers at 39 percent from three to Orlando's 33. Call it Orlando 113, the Clippers 109, the Clippers keeping it close.
3/31 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 17 free throws a game; Miller at 20 and Bridges at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Leonard at 23 and George at 22 a game. Without Theis (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 37 percent from three to Charlotte's 31 and the glass, where the Clippers have been minus-1 a night and Charlotte minus-6. Call it the Clippers 114, Charlotte 109.
4/02 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Fox at 24 and Murray at 20 a game. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; George at 24 and Leonard at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Theis (4 straight), Tucker (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Sacramento 115, the Clippers 112, the Clippers keeping it close.
4/04 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; George at 24 and Leonard at 24 a game. Without Tucker (3 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Gordon at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Murray (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-4 a night and the Clippers minus-2 and the defense, Denver allowing 105 a night to the Clippers' 113. Call it Denver 112, the Clippers 111, the Clippers keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHIBH B. Hield
CP C. Payne
KL K. Lowry
KO K. Oubre Jr.
MB M. Bamba
NB N. Batum
PR P. Reed
TH T. Harris
TM T. Maxey
LACAC A. Coffey
IZ I. Zubac
JH J. Harden
KL K. Leonard
MP M. Plumlee
NP N. Powell
PG P. George
PT P. Tucker
RW R. Westbrook
TM T. Mann
PHI/LAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Kawhi Leonard comes alive late to lead Clippers to disputed 108-107 win over 76ers
PHILADELPHIA -- — Kawhi Leonard completed two 3-point plays late in the game then made a block at the rim on the final possession to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a controversial 108-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
Kelly Oubre Jr . was stuffed at the rim by Leonard on a play that Sixers head coach Nick Nurse felt should have resulted in a foul on Paul George .
The officiating crew after the game said a foul should have been called on the last play that would have sent Oubre to the line with a chance to win the game.
Nurse stormed onto the court to dispute the non-call and had to be restrained by his assistants. Oubre also jumped into the mix, pointing at each official before being pulled away after the final horn.
“Well I think, listen, I think he took it in there pretty hard, right?” Nurse said. “I looked it on our computer screen a couple times. I thought there was certainly contact. Certainly as much as the last two or three that got called and-1's at the other end. And that’s all. I just thought it was enough contact to call. But that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
The game officials agreed.
“On the last play on the floor, in real time the crew interpreted that play as the defender jumping vertically,” referee Kevin Scott said to a pool reporter. “However, in post-game video review we did observe some slight drift to his left by the defender George, and a foul should have been ruled.”
Leonard bounced back from a 1-for-8 shooting first half to score 17 points and grab 10 rebounds.
“We had to stay focused if we were going to stay in the game,” he said.
George had 22 points to lead Los Angeles while James Harden , in his return to Wells Fargo Center, had 16 points and 14 assists for the Clippers, who had lost six of nine.
“I liked our fight when we got down 15 points,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. “It's a tough game for a first game of a road trip. ... I just liked us staying with it and attacking the paint and getting to the rim.”
Tyrese Maxey had 26 points for the 76ers while Oubre added 17 points.
Leonard scored with 44 seconds left, was fouled by Tobias Harris and hit the free throw to give Los Angeles a 105-104 lead. Sixers guard Buddy Hield responded with a long 3-pointer to give Philadelphia a 107-105 lead with 23 seconds to play.
After a timeout, Leonard sliced down an empty lane with a reverse layup and added the free throw after being fouled by Oubre to give the Clippers a one-point lead again. Oubre drove the lane at the other end of the floor, but Leonard pinned the ball against the rim and backboard.
“Kawhi got it going late and was being resilient,” Lue said.
Harden played 1 1/2 seasons for the 76ers before being traded to Los Angeles on Oct. 31 as part of a seven-player deal after a public summer contract dispute with Daryl Morey, Philadelphia's president of basketball operations.
Harden was greeted by boos when he was the first Clippers player introduced, then was heckled every time he touched the ball. After a sluggish start, Harden began to assert himself on the offensive end and distribute the ball. He was 6 of 15 from the floor and grabbed five rebounds.
“I expected it,” Harden said. “I really don’t know what it’s about, but I expected it. So it is what it is. I don’t even know why they were booing. You can ask them. I don’t know why they were booing.”
When asked if he would ever patch up his relationship with Morey — who he was close to during time in Houston and Philadelphia — the answer was direct.
“No,” Harden answered. “Hell no.”
UP NEXT
Clippers: Continue their four-game road trip in Orlando Friday night.