The Los Angeles Clippers are matching up against their offensive engine’s former franchise. Thursday night’s showdown at the Paycom Center just got a bit more challenging for the LA side. Coach Ty Lue dropped some bad news before tip-off—James Harden is out with a sore groin. That’s tough, especially when you’re up against the Oklahoma City Thunder on their home turf.

The Clippers have been battling this season, holding a 19-14 record and splitting their last ten games at 5-5. In 32 games this season, the 2018 MVP has put up impressive numbers across the board. He’s averaging 21.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game. Toss in 1.5 steals, and it’s clear he’s contributing on both ends. His shooting percentages? Well, they’re not jaw-dropping—39.3% from the field and 34.7% from deep—but they’re solid enough to keep defenses honest!

Harden missing his second game of the season is a tough pill to swallow for the Clippers. He’s been the team’s offensive engine, setting the tempo and leading the attack. Without him, they’re up against a relentless OKC defense and will need their thin rotation of playmakers to step up. Honestly, expecting them to protect the ball and make magic happen under this kind of pressure? That’s asking a lot.

Just 25 days ago, the Beard was sidelined with groin soreness during a game against the Rockets. Well, looks like he can’t bring himself to score buckets against his former teams! The Clippers have three other players listed on the injury report.

Can the LA Clippers win without James Harden?

Terance Mann (finger) won’t suit up for Thursday’s game against the Thunder. This marks his 11th consecutive absence as he continues recovering from surgery on his left hand’s middle finger. It’s frustrating to see a key player out for so long, especially when the team could use his energy on the floor.

Meanwhile, the Clippers announced in October that P.J. Tucker won’t be with the team for now, according to Joey Linn of SI.com. Rumors are swirling that the team is looking to move on from the 39-year-old, possibly through a trade, to offload his $11.54 million salary for 2024-25.

On the brighter side, Kawhi Leonard was recalled from the San Diego Clippers on Sunday. He’s been making strides in his rehab for a right knee injury and even practiced with the G League squad over the weekend. The latest update on The Klaw came via Law Murray: “There is indeed a target date for Kawhi Leonard: Saturday, January 4 at Intuit Dome, when LA Clippers host Atlanta Hawks, sources tell @TheAthletic.” Seeing him inch closer to a return has to feel like a silver lining for fans.

Get ready for another thrilling matchup in this season’s series, where the Thunder already hold a 2-0 edge. Both wins came thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lighting it up and spreading the floor like a maestro. Honestly, stopping him feels like trying to beat a final boss in a video game—tough, but not impossible. Can the Clippers finally crack the code?

Now, don’t sleep on LA just yet. They’ve held their own on the road with an even 8-8 record. So who do you think will win?