James Harden’s Clippers debut set for Monday at Madison Square Garden vs. Knicks, per report

The James Harden generation with the Clippers will start quickly, because the famous person guard is anticipated to make his debut along with his new staff in opposition to the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Monday night time, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. 

Harden used to be traded to the Clippers within the early morning hours on Oct. 31, when he used to be despatched with PJ Tucker to L.A. from the Philadelphia 76ers in alternate for Robert Covington, Nic Batum, Marcus Morris, KJ Martin, an unprotected 2028 first-round select, two second-round alternatives, a first-round select from the Thunder and a first-round select switch. Harden to start with asked a industry from Philadelphia right through the offseason, with the Clippers as his most well-liked vacation spot. After months of on-and-off industry talks, Harden in spite of everything were given his want closing week and joins his 5th staff. 

Charania reviews that the Clippers are making plans on a beginning lineup that can function Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Ivica Zubac. Harden in an instant turns into L.A.’s highest facilitator and playmaker, as he led the league in assists a season in the past (10.7). He’ll be capable to keep an eye on the tempo of L.A.’s offense and straightforwardness the playmaking load off of Leonard and George’s shoulders.

On the outside it is going to appear to be a backcourt of Harden and Westbrook would possibly not paintings, however in the only season the tandem performed in combination in Houston, the Rockets had a plus-5.6 internet score when the ones two shared the ground. That staff went directly to make the Western Conference semifinals, the place they misplaced to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

That’s a favorable stat because the Clippers attempt to make this core of gamers paintings after years of falling brief in their championship targets. With Leonard and George changing into unfastened brokers this summer season — in addition to Westbrook and Harden — there is a important quantity of force in this staff to make a run within the postseason.