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James Harden Reacts to Russell Westbrook's Viral Dunk

James Harden and Russell Westbrook have continued their connection with the LA Clippers

Joey Linn

James Harden Reacts to Russell Westbrook's Viral Dunk
James Harden Reacts to Russell Westbrook's Viral Dunk /
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Teammates with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets, James Harden and Russell Westbrook reunited this season in their hometown with the LA Clippers. While it was process getting everyone comfortable in their new roles after the Harden trade, the Clippers are starting to click, beginning with the longtime duo of Westbrook and Harden.

In the month of December, which the Clippers finished 11-2, the Harden and Westbrook pairing posted a +13.3 net rating together in 120 minutes. This was a massive improvement from their -12.2 net rating in November, and it all came down to additional game reps for the two point guards.

Connecting for an incredible alley-oop in Friday night's win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Harden and Westbrook electrified the crowd. 

When asked if it's special to share these moments with Westbrook in Los Angeles after doing it so many times in OKC and Houston, Harden said, "Yeah. Especially when you talk about a play and you execute the play. Just trying to find ways to make it easier for him. He did a really good job of his energy, filling the stat sheet up tonight, made some really good defensive plays, made some big shots."

The pairing of Harden and Westbrook finding some success is one of the biggest reasons the Clippers have been able to stay afloat in the four games Kawhi Leonard has missed due to injury, and it's been one of the more encouraging developments in December.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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