James Harden Earns 11th NBA All-Star Selection at 35

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — James Harden, the veteran guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, earned his 11th NBA All-Star selection on Thursday, marking his first appearance with the franchise. At 35, Harden becomes the oldest player in Clippers history to make the All-Star roster. The game will be held on Feb. 16 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Harden, selected as a Western Conference reserve by league coaches, joins a star-studded lineup including Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Anthony Davis (Lakers), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Alperen Şengün (Houston Rockets), Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder), and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs). Despite averaging a team-high 24 points per game, Clippers guard Norman Powell was left off the reserves list.

“It means a lot,” Harden said last week. “Just the work that I’ve put in individually and as a team. The accomplishments and my numbers are good enough. I’ve been on the other side where I led the league in assists and didn’t make it. So, it would be an honor to me. I would love to be a part of the team.”

Harden, who recently passed Rod Strickland for No. 13 on the NBA’s career assists list, is averaging 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game this season. He also joined Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to score 40 or more points 100 times, achieving his 103rd 40+ game last Saturday.

“James is one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached,” said Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who previously coached Harden in Philadelphia. Despite his accolades, Harden remains humble. “I just go out there and put the work in, and it is what it is,” he said.

Powell praised Harden’s impact on the Clippers, who currently hold the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a 27-20 record. “He’s a guy that makes a lot of stuff happen with the ball, making plays,” Powell said. “The way teams guard us with him on the floor, it gets a little difficult. But him, he’s such a ball-dominant guy that can get even better.”

Harden’s resurgence comes as the Clippers defy preseason expectations. After losing Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers and with Kawhi Leonard sidelined due to injury, many predicted the Clippers would struggle. However, Leonard has returned strong, and Harden’s leadership has been pivotal in elevating the team.

Harden’s January performance, averaging 10.0 assists per game, has been particularly noteworthy. His ability to create opportunities for teammates like Powell and Ivica Zubac has been instrumental in the Clippers’ success. With the All-Star Game approaching, Harden’s selection serves as a testament to his enduring talent and impact on the court.