The LA Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans face off in a massive battle for the Western Conference's 4th seed tonight, but the Clippers may have to do it without James Harden.
James Harden has been officially listed on the Clippers' injury report as questionable with a left shoulder strain. Harden just missed the Clippers' last game against the Chicago Bulls due to the injury. He also mentioned that it was bothering him after Tuesday's loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In all honesty, even though it seems like James Harden has been significantly fatigued recently, his numbers aren't that much different pre-All-Star break to post-All-Star break.
Before the break, Harden averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 turnovers on 45/42/87 shooting. After the break, Harden averaged 17.3 points, 8.0 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.0 turnovers on 41/33/91 shooting. His three-point shooting has significantly dipped, but so has everyone on the Clippers. Just this week, the team as a whole was shooting 34% from three, which is one of the worst in the NBA. Still, rest has never hurt anyone, and it shouldn't hurt someone like James Harden.
The Clippers will need all the help they can get against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight. Not only is it a massive game for standings and tiebreaker purposes, but it's against a team they may face in the playoffs that's had their number for years.
The LA Clippers face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00 p.m. EST tonight.
More must-reads: