Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

James Harden has become some sort of a forgotten superstar in the NBA. But on Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard showed up to play against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, as he led his team to a 109-97 win at home.

Harden was a big thorn in the side of the Mavericks. Dallas already got a big plus in the game with Kawhi Leonard not in uniform because of a knee injury, but Harden, Paul George, and Ivica Zubac all made life hard for the Mavs’ defense.

James Harden Shows He’s Got Plenty Of Juice Left With Awesome Game 1 Performance for Los Angeles Clippers

Harden went down to work early in the Mavs game, as scattered 20 of his 28 points in the first half. Dallas threw different defenders at him, but Harden seemed to shrug them all.

Via Law Murray of The Athletic:

“It’s going to be different matchups,” Harden said after being guarded by Washington in the first half and Derrick Jones Jr. to start the second half. “They tried Luka. I mean for me, my mindset doesn’t change.”

The challenge now for Harden and the Clippers is sustaining the form they established in the series opener. The Mavericks are not going to simply lay down their weapons after just a loss, so Los Angeles is expecting Dallas to hit harder in Game 2, which is scheduled to be played on Tuesday.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Maple Leafs tab former Stanley Cup winner as new head coach
NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
NFL sets outrageous prices for Eagles-Packers Brazil game
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader
Greg Olsen offers broadcasting advice to Tom Brady
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Mets star has theory about closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles
Scottie Scheffler arrested, still makes PGA Championship tee time
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7

Want more NBA news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.