Los Angeles Clippers Resilience Gets Guard Another All-Star Nod

Los Angeles Clippers Resilience Gets Guard Another All-Star Nod | James Harden
Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

After carrying this Los Angeles Clippers team to a 19-15 start without superstar Kawhi Leonard missing those first 34 games, James Harden was selected as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. 

He will make his 11th career All-Star appearance (2013-22, 2025) and his first since coming to LA. This feat makes him one of just five active players who have earned All-Star honors 11 times.

In his 16th NBA season, Harden is averaging 21.7 points, 8.4 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 33.8 minutes in 44 games (all starts).

He has posted 16 “points-assists” double-doubles (fifth most in the NBA) and currently just surpassed the 8k mark for assists. The 6-foot-5 guard is one of just four NBA players averaging at least 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds.

Harden has scored 20+ points in 26 games, 30 or more four times, and has three 40-point performances. He has helped the Clippers to a 27-20 (.574) record, which ranks sixth in the Western Conference. 

Earlier this season, Harden passed Ray Allen (2,973) for second on the NBA’s All-Time Three-Point Field Goals List.

The 2017-18 Most Valuable Player holds career averages of 24.1 points, 7.2 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 34.7 minutes in 1,116 games (902 starts). 

He has earned All-NBA First Team honors six times (2014-15, 2017-20) and was voted to the All-NBA Third Team in 2013. He was also named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2012 and is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

James Harden Leads Way For Los Angeles Clippers Teammates

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs | James Harden
Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

There were a few teammates of his that were disappointed in not making the reserves list in Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, but Harden being the leader that he is let those guys know the work they have put in hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

“Norm has had an unbelievable year,” Harden said of Powell. “I actually sent him a message after the reserves came out. I just told him, ‘What you’ve been doing, I’m just happy to be a part of it. Keep that same swagger because you’re a huge part of our success and what we’re doing and where we’re trying to go.’”

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Powell is having a career year averaging 24 points in 39 games. 

On Zubac, Harden added, “And then Zu. 20s and 20s and improvement. And even when the stat sheets don’t have 20 and 20, he still impacts the game at a high level. So I’m just proud of both of those guys and the year that they’re having. As far as our team, they’re the reason for that.”

For LA to be playing in late May, Harden knows he’ll need those two along with others to continue playing at a high level. 

The 74th NBA All-Star Game will be held at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, February 16th.