Beating the Lakers is never just another win, especially when the season calls for urgency and consistency. The Los Angeles Clippers know that well, and Thursday night’s 112-104 result tells more than the final score suggests. A game controlled for long stretches, then suddenly complicated, but still closed out. And that’s exactly the detail that convinces James Harden the most.

Since December 20, the Clippers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA: 14 wins in their last 17 games, a clear change of pace after months spent near the bottom of the Western Conference. The derby against the Lakers was both an emotional and technical test, passed with a few scares but with substance.

Harden Doesn’t Flinch: “All That Matters Is Winning”

The purple-and-gold Lakers had fallen as far as 26 points down during the game, before a late comeback forced the Clippers to grind it out until the final buzzer.

No drama for Harden, who perfectly summed up the team’s current mindset postgame.

We did what we needed to do. Whatever it takes to win – that’s my mentality.

James Harden via Amazon Prime

A simple line, but a meaningful one: no aesthetics, no calculations. The Clippers know they dug themselves into a deep hole early in the season, and now every win carries extra weight – especially against a direct and historic rival.

The Return of Kawhi Leonard

The return of Kawhi Leonard after three games out added even more stability to the night: 24 points, with the constant impression of having emotional control of the game. Alongside him, Harden did what he’s done best in this phase: 18 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists, numbers that speak more to balance and leadership than forced protagonism.

The Clippers’ transformation runs right through this. Leonard is back to MVP-level impact, while Harden has embraced an advanced playmaking role, reading the game and raising or lowering the pace without unnecessary jolts.

Despite the positive stretch, the Clippers are still only 10th in the West. Just a few weeks ago they were hovering between 13th and 14th, and there’s still plenty of work to do. With 38 games remaining, though, the schedule offers room to climb above the 50% win mark and push for a direct playoff spot.

The feeling is that the group has finally found a clear identity: intensity, defensive focus, and zero romanticism. It’s no coincidence that talk has started to surface about possible market moves as well, with important names like Ivica Zubac potentially entering broader discussions if an opening for a major move were to emerge.