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Los Angeles Clippers Coach Ty Lue Reacts to James Harden’s Stinker in Devastating Game 5 Loss Vs. Mavericks

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Paolo Songco | Last updated 5/2/24

The Los Angeles Clippers messed up big time on Wednesday night. Not only did they lose Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks on their own home floor, but they did so in embarrassing fashion after being absolutely annihilated, 123-93.

James Harden, who was coming off a 33-point explosion in LA’s Game 4 victory, fell crashing back down to earth on Wednesday. The former NBA MVP finished with seven points on 2-of-12 shooting in a completely forgettable performance.

Los Angeles Clippers News: Ty Lue Sounds Off on James Harden’s Off Night

After the game, Clippers head coach Ty Lue got brutally honest about Harden’s awful outing. You just knew that there was no way Lue was going to throw his star under the bus, and the veteran shot-caller was quick to come to Harden’s defense:

“Being human. He’s allowed to have a bad game,” Lue said, via Farbod Esnaashari of SI.

‘Be Ready’

According to Lue, he didn’t have a message for his team as they now face the prospect of a do-or-die game in Dallas in Game 6. Lue expects nothing less from his players than for them to leave it all on the line come Friday night:

“If you’re competitor and you know what the playoffs are all about, then you’ll be ready to go on Friday,” he said.

Luka Doncic and Co. smell blood, though. They know that they have a golden opportunity in their hands as this series shifts back to Dallas for Game 6. They will do everything they can to make sure that the Clippers don’t get a chance to play a Game 7 at the Crypto.com Arena.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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