James Harden Playfully Reacts to Luka Doncic Hitting Tough Shot on Him

Luka’s greatness got Harden excited.

Game recognizes game. 

The Clippers defeated the Mavericks Wednesday night, 120–111, despite the best efforts of Dallas superstar Luka Dončić. The sixth-year guard scored 28 points, fueling a comeback from a 22-point deficit that ultimately fell short. 

Clippers scorer James Harden acknowledged Dončić’s greatness after the Mavericks star hit a tough fadeaway jumper to beat the shot clock. Harden was right up against Dončić, though he didn’t jump to contest the shot. But after the fadeaway went in, Harden expressed his admiration by giving Dončić a playful smack on the behind. 

Check it out:

Luka hits the fadeaway at the buzzer and gets a slap on the butt from Hardenpic.twitter.com/fyR2GAHl4z

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 21, 2023

Dončić didn’t have a great shooting night, going 9-of-25 from the field (including 2-for-11 from three-point range). And his 11-game streak of consecutive games scoring 30 points—a franchise record—was broken.  

Harden’s gesture provided another example of how much fun he’s been having with the Clippers winning. Despite the Mavericks making the game competitive, he was inspired to show some admiration for one of the NBA’s best players. (Later, Harden was jubilant at a deft move by teammate Kawhi Leonard.) 

Dončić, the NBA’s second-leading scorer at 32.7 points per game, is so good that sometimes the only response is awe.