Even though the ball kept favoring the LA Clippers, the Atlanta Hawks won at Intuit Dome by three points, 105-102. Fans will reflect on this game to the saying, “million dollar move with a ten-cent finish,” as James Harden is now in a four-way tie for the franchise leader in triple-doubles, and had 35 points, but chucked up a poorly timed three from the logo that cost LA the win.
During this possession, Harden may have attempted this deep three-pointer with the expectation that one referee would whistle a foul, leading to three attempts at the line.
While it is unlikely, given Harden’s IQ, he could have also just been unaware of the clock and rushed his final shot of the game. In reality, he had possession of the ball with over 16 seconds left and could have found a better shot.
Nonetheless, Derrick Jones Jr. made a clutch steal, and Zaccharie Risacher missed two free throws, both while the Clippers were down by a triple, yet Harden failed to send the game to overtime.
The Clippers lost another must-win home battle
Intuit Dome was supposed to be the place where the LA Clippers would usually stay victorious. They had one of the best home records in the league in 2024-25, at 30-11, and had unique advantages like ‘The Wall’ that none of their opponents were fond of.
Yet, this season, it has only been ten games, and their loss count at home is already up to four. Thus, the Clippers would have to go on a historic run of wins in their own territory to progress from last season.
Moreover, amid a three-game home stretch that will conclude Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers gave up when things went down to the wire against the Phoenix Suns and could not triumph over the Atlanta Hawks in crunch time, who did not have Trae Young or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Aside from James Harden folding in the last 20 seconds of the game, he was absolutely dominant. His 35 points recorded were his season’s best and a team high, but the Hawks held their own with Vít Krejčí, who went for his own season-high and career-high, with 28 points and eight three-pointers.
That said, it is rare for Harden to score over 30 and give the game away. If he keeps it up through the contest against Denver, it would be the next thing to impossible if LA’s losing streak does not come to an end.