Harden 'disappointed' not to help Clippers win Inuit Dome debut
Chloe Horswill
October 24, 2024 17:53 MYT
October 24, 2024 17:53 MYT
James Harden was frustrated the Los Angeles Clippers could not win on a historic night in their new arena, as they opened the NBA season with an overtime defeat.
Harden had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers but missed a free throw with six seconds left of overtime, which would have tied the game against the Phoenix Suns.
Instead, they suffered a 116-113 defeat in the Intuit Dome, despite leading 99-90 late in the fourth quarter.
Up until that final throw, Harden had kept Los Angeles in the game and almost won it for them before Kevin Durant tied the score with 21 seconds remaining of normal time.
The star was left frustrated that they could not get a win over the line.
"I'm so disappointed that we didn't get the win," Harden said. "You know what I mean? That's like one of the most frustrating things that I can think about as far as tonight.
"Like just history in Inglewood. The Intuit Dome. The fans came out, they showed up, and we got the short end of the stick.
Final pic.twitter.com/EIIXcEHX1w — LA Clippers (@LAClippers) October 24, 2024
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"But I think they gave us a great, great energy tonight and I think the more they continue that the better our results will be. So, we appreciate the fans. We got to do our part, and they definitely did theirs tonight.
"Individually, for me, I got to play way better. I think it was just having that week off, getting adjusted to the pace of the game.
"All of the above. Shooting the ball well, something that I can control, taking better shots. … And then just turning the ball over. Not just getting a quality shot possession by possession. … My play has to be a lot better."
Durant scored 25 points and Bradley Beal added 24 to help the Suns make a winning start to the NBA under Mike Buldenhozer.
"You know [the fans are] excited [in overtime]," Durant said.
"They were this close to getting a stop, and then I raised up and shot that and made it. Then it was silent in there. That's one of the best feelings, especially late in a game."