The Los Angeles Clippers are starting to look like a team that’s finally figured itself out. After a brutal 6-21 start to the season that had fans and analysts alike wondering if the Kawhi Leonard-James Harden experiment was heading toward a dead end, the Clippers have flipped the script. Friday night’s 121-117 road win over the Toronto Raptors was just the latest sign that this group is finding its footing - and they did it without Leonard, who was sidelined with an ankle issue.
That meant the spotlight shifted to James Harden, and while it wasn’t a wire-to-wire masterpiece from The Beard, he delivered when it mattered most. Harden struggled through the first three quarters, but when the game got tight late, the Clippers leaned on him - and he responded.
Possession after possession, Harden made plays that tilted the outcome in LA’s favor. It wasn’t flashy, but it was clutch, and it allowed the Clippers to rest Leonard without sacrificing a win heading into a two-day break.
Of course, Harden didn’t carry the load alone - and that’s where this win gets even more encouraging for LA. The supporting cast showed up in a big way.
Six players scored in double figures, including two rookies who stepped up in a major way. Jordan Miller and Cam Christie came off the bench and combined for 35 points - 19 for Miller, 16 for Christie - giving the Clippers a much-needed spark with Leonard out.
Miller, in particular, was everywhere. He logged 46 minutes, doing a little bit of everything to help keep the Clippers in it.
That kind of effort doesn’t just fill a box score - it sets a tone. For a team trying to claw its way back to .500 and beyond, performances like this from the bench aren’t just helpful - they’re essential.
The Clippers are still a work in progress, but games like this show they’re trending in the right direction. Harden stepped up late, the young guys brought energy and production, and the team found a way to win a tough game on the road without one of its stars. That’s the kind of depth and resilience that can change the trajectory of a season.