Clippers can’t keep up with Knicks in James Harden’s debut
Harden scores 17 points as the Clippers show flashes of how potent their four-star lineup could be, but they fall too far behind with a rough start to the fourth quarter in a 111-97 loss in New York
Clippers guard James Harden shoots over New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo during the second half on Monday night in New York. Harden scored 17 points in his first game with his new team, but the Clippers had a rough start to the fourth quarter and lost, 111-97. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives past New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the second half on Monday night in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard James Harden is defended by New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) shoots over Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard James Harden dribbles around teammate Ivica Zubac (40) and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard James Harden reacts to hitting a 3-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle attempts a shot as the Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, left, and Kawhi Leonard defend during the first quarter on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook reacts after making a basket during the first quarter of a game against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, dribbles around New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett follows through on a dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Clippers Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes a shot over New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) and guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle attempts a shot between the Clippers’ Mason Plumlee, left, and Kawhi Leonard during the first quarter on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers star Paul George, left, dribbles around New York Knicks guard Josh Hart during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo dribbles the ball around Clippers forward P.J. Tucker, middle, and Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) hits a three-point shot over Clippers forward Paul George (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) defends against Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guards Donte DiVincenzo, left, and Josh Hart, right, battle Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, middle, for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue calls a play during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) passes the ball around Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guards Josh Hart, left, and Donte DiVincenzo, middle, battle Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard James Harden shoots over New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo during the second half on Monday night in New York. Harden scored 17 points in his first game with his new team, but the Clippers had a rough start to the fourth quarter and lost, 111-97. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, on the floor, and Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, in the air, collide during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau calls a play during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Clippers Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard dunks during the third quarter of their game against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac blocks a shot by New York Knicks forward Julius Randle during the second half on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) battles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, left, and Clippers center Ivica Zubac for control of the ball during the second quarter on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle floats a shot over the arms of Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the fourth quarter on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook attempts a shot as New York Knicks forward Julius Randle defends during the third quarter on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers center Mason Plumlee, left, collides with New York Knicks forward Julius Randle during the second half on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden handles the ball during the second half of his debut game on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden takes a shot as New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo defends during the second half on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, right, attempts to pass between the New York Knicks’ Quentin Grimes (6), Mitchell Robinson (23) and Jalen Brunson (11) during the third quarter on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) defends against Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook grabs a rebound away from the New York Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson (23) during the third quarter on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein, right, reacts to a call as Clippers star Paul George defends during the second half on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden warms up before making his debut with his new team against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard James Harden warms up before making his debut with his new team against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard James Harden warms up before making his debut with his new team against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden warms up before making his debut with his new team against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard James Harden warms up before making his debut with his new team against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Clippers guard James Harden warms up before making his debut with his new team against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/John Munson)
NEW YORK — At times, such as when James Harden raced up the floor and found a cutting Kawhi Leonard for a layup, it was easy to see why the Clippers’ new four-star system could become so potent.
“Unlimited possibilities,” Harden said.
Other times, such as when Russell Westbrook threw away a pass trying to get the ball to Harden to ignite a fast break as the New York Knicks were taking control, it appeared it might take a while before that happens.
Harden scored 17 points and had six assists on Monday night in his first game of the season, but the Clippers fell too far behind with a rough start to the fourth quarter and the Knicks beat them, 111-97.
Harden joined the Clippers last week after finally getting the trade he sought from the Philadelphia 76ers since the summer and jumped right into the starting lineup in his debut, taking the floor with Leonard, Westbrook and Paul George.
“Felt kind of weird out there, not really having a preseason game or an opportunity to participate in a full training camp, none of that,” Harden said. “I was out there just basically winging it, but I tried to go with my basketball instincts and what I’ve been doing for the last few years and whatnot, and just going out there and playing and thinking the game and trying to make the game easier for everybody else.”
But the first four went to the bench for good after Harden’s bad pass led to a Knicks fast-break layup that made it 104-88 with 4:25 to play.
Leonard led the Clippers with 18 points and Westbrook scored 17. Norman Powell added 14 points and George finished with 10 for the Clippers, who lost backup center Mason Plumlee to a knee injury when Knicks forward Julius Randle crashed into his leg going for a loose ball.
The game was tied 76-76 after the third quarter, but a 7-0 run put the Knicks up for good. New York’s lead grew to a game-high 17 points at 111-94 on RJ Barrett’s 3-pointer with 2:07 left.
The Clippers were already aware that adding Harden might not pay immediate dividends. Players who have been All-Stars and even MVPs in the NBA will have to alter the way they have always played.
“So just because you acquire a guy like James Harden doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to win,” Coach Tyronn Lue said before the game. “You’ve got to put the work in and you’ve got to be ready to sacrifice.”
Lue said he expected it would take him 10 games to understand how to use his new roster. Harden couldn’t put a number on how long he expected it would take.
“If I knew then I’d be a genius at that point,” Harden said. “Hopefully sooner than later.”
Harden was the last of the Clippers announced and was loudly booed by the crowd at Madison Square Garden. He played a little more than half of the first quarter and then came out, with Lue saying before the game that his new guard would play shorter stints than usual in his first NBA action of his 15th season.
Some of Harden’s best work came while playing without the other starters. The three-time NBA scoring champion didn’t even take a shot in the first quarter, then went 4 for 5 for nine points in the second while starting the period with reserves P.J. Tucker, Bones Hyland, Powell and Plumlee.
Harden played 31 minutes and had a good third quarter, when he set up the fast-break layup by Leonard midway through the period and hit a long 3-pointer just before the end of it. But the Knicks broke it open while Leonard, George and Westbrook were resting early in the fourth, then pulled away for good later in the period with all of them in the game.
Harden said he felt tired in the beginning and that it would probably take him a few games to get used to the pace of NBA games again.
Once that happens, the Clippers should be a title contender if their four top players remain healthy, though Harden has been on teams before whose hopes were wrecked by untimely injuries. So they know all they can do is use the season to make sure they are as ready as possible.
“Just right not, just figuring it out each and every day and hopefully when the time comes we’ll turn that corner and jell,” Leonard said.
Randle scored 27 points and Barrett had 26 in his return to the lineup to pace the Knicks. Mitchell Robinson added 13 points and 14 rebounds as the Knicks snapped their two-game losing streak and recorded their first home victory of the season.
Donte DiVincenzo scored 12 points and Josh Hart had 10 for New York.
