The nasty loss to the Brooklyn Nets has left a lot to be desired for the Clippers’ fans. But, in terms of all-time defense and offense rating, James Harden did put in a lot of effort. Coming off six months of no basketball, Harden could have been rusty. However, after a failed debut, the 34-year-old failed to impress in his second game this season.

Although Harden played a selfless game, assisting the star players and trying to make space for himself, the faulty lineup might be the reason. It is definitely difficult for the Clippers to figure out how the offense functions with so many offensive players on the hardwood. But the question is, is Harden playing against the Dallas Mavericks?

James Harden and co. injury update

Fortunately for the Clippers, there’s no unforeseen injury scare when going against the second-seed team in the Western Conference. With all four players fit and healthy, the Clippers might go with the designated lineup. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard up as small forwards, James Harden and Russell Westbrook as the shooting guards, and I. Zubac as the center. Despite a 39-minute play against the Nets on Monday, PG13 is back again. The shooting guard, Mason Plumlee, has been ruled out due to a knee injury. With no information about the return, the player wasn’t even there in the Nets’ game. Along with the SG, center Brandon Boston Jr. is out for quadriceps tendinopathy.

While facing the Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the Clippers might take a sigh of relief. That’s because there are two down for the opposition as well. Dereck Lively is questionable with an ‘illness’ report’, along with Maxi Kleber (power forward) under the same category. However, things might not look so simple for the Clippers.

Luka Doncic and co. just lost the game to the Toronto Raptors, and a comeback is all they need. The Clippers must do something to manage the chaos in the starting lineup to deal with the EX-NBA champs.

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Harden and Co. versus the Brooklyn Nets

Despite recently acquiring James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers, the franchise is struggling to put a lead in the first unit itself. The Clippers are standing at 3–4, with four losses. There’s something that Coach Tyronn Lue has to put into line to deal with the issue.

Read More: James Harden Faces the Wrath of Angry Fans Upon Brooklyn Return in Clippers Threads

Apart from the team’s shooting struggles, particularly beyond the arc, the shooting percentage has gone down on open or wide-open threes. Declining from the previous 42.1% in the first five games, the team is not standing at just 25.0%. Although the issue is not solely about this, the air can be much clearer once the team starts taking these shots. With the last loss against the Nets, 93-100, the Clippers were lagging behind in three out of four quarters.

PG13 registered 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist, with a 7/20 field goal score. Harden stood at 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in his 36 minutes on the field. Kawhi Leonard is at 17 points, and Westbrook is at 13. Although Normal Powell went full-throttle in the fourth quarter with three-point jumpers, it wasn’t enough.

Now it all depends on the playing style of the Clippers because the Mavericks will show no mercy in this game. Do you think the franchise stands a chance to register a win? Let us know in the comment section.

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