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Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff Writer
NEW YORK — James Harden said he will make his LA Clippers debut on Monday night at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks.
“Definitely,” Harden said when asked if he is definitely making his debut against the Knicks.
Harden spoke to reporters before going through a practice on Sunday in New York and the point guard said he is good to go barring anything unforeseen happening. The Clippers have been off since losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime on Wednesday night.
That has given Harden four days to learn the Clippers offense and get in a lot of on-court work. He has played five-on-five pickup and participated in a scrimmage on Thursday and Friday.
Head coach Ty Lue has remained coy about who he will start but the expectation is that the Clippers will start Harden alongside starters Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Ivica Zubac. Lue said the starters did not scrimmage with Harden last week but that he was going to see all four of his stars on the court together during Sunday’s practice.
Lue said Harden looks in good shape but that the team will be cautious and monitor the point guard’s workload against the Knicks.
“I don’t expect to go out there and play 40 something minutes, but no restrictions [physically],” Harden said.
Lue said Harden’s basketball IQ has stood out during his first several days of practice with his new team.
“Just picking up plays quickly,” Lue said of Harden. “Understanding what guy’s going to be on the floor, how to make reads and passes in the pick and roll game. And so he’s asked for a lot of film to try to get up to speed as fast as possible. And it’s my job just to make sure he’s comfortable tomorrow night, not thinking too much on the floor.”
Harden is ready to finally play for his new team.
“It feels good,” Harden said of his how his body has felt out of these workouts. “The practices and things that you’ll be doing, like when you’re training for a game, is much more difficult than the game. So when you get in the game, it’s a lot easier. I’m just excited to get on the court.”