James Harden

One final, big-time possession away from pairing his vintage outing with an equally-memorable victory, James Harden determined that the task could be accomplished through two of his favorite methods: a subtle stepback, and a four-point play opportunity. In need of a creative maneuver in quick succession with the shot clock winding down and Trae Young sticking to his dribble attempt like glue, the 10-time All-Star drifts into a sliver of space, balancing himself into a contested, and-one 3-pointer that bounces off the glass for a game-winning score. The former 2018 Most Valuable Player picked a perfect time for an ageless performance, helping the L.A. Clippers cap off a rigorous seven-game, six-win road trip with a win over the Atlanta Hawks on February 5, 2024. Needing just 14 shot attempts, Harden overwhelmed Atlanta’s defense with 30 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, one block, and six 3-point makes.