James Harden has plenty of ground to cover if he is to lead the LA Clippers to a playoff spot this season. However, the former MVP has run into a hurdle as the Clippers wrap up their five-game home stand.
Harden, who was a late addition to the Clippers’ injury report, is now confirmed to sit out his team’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Monday. According to Clippers beat writer Tomer Azarly, Harden will be sidelined due to right shoulder issues.
James Harden (Right Shoulder) is OUT for tonight’s Clippers-Warriors game.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 6, 2026
The absence of James Harden will be a huge blow to the Clippers, as he has been putting up the best scoring numbers of his stint with the team. This season, the 11-time All-Star is averaging 25.7 ppg on 43.3% FG shooting. Proving to still be a versatile player in his 17th season, Harden is also contributing 4.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game to the Clippers’ cause.
The Clips, of course, need every ounce of Harden that they can get in the last three and a half months of the regular season. Sitting at 12-22, the Clippers currently trail no. 10 Memphis Grizzlies (15-20) and no. 11 Dallas Mavericks (13-23).
With James Harden out of the lineup, it will be an uphill climb for the Clippers to keep up with the firepower of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, who recently returned to the Warriors’ lineup after dealing with various health issues. The Clippers are also hoping that Harden will be back in harness soon, as they have a three-game road trip coming up later this week.
“He Had to Do a Lot for Us”: Clippers HC Comments on James Harden’s Wear and Tear as of Late
Prior to the Clippers-Warriors matchup, Clippers head coach Ty Lue admitted to reporters that the physical toll of the past few weeks has impacted Harden’s health.
Definitely, just body fatigue, all the things he had to do as far as carrying the offense when Kawhi was out…We didn’t really have a secondary scorer…He had to do a lot for us.
On Monday night, Lue and his coaching staff will have to figure out creative ways to maximize their roster in order to compensate for James Harden’s loss.
