During the Los Angeles Clippers victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, James Harden momentarily succumbed to his intrusive thoughts, leading to a bizarre moment on the court.
In the third quarter of the game, Harden, a seasoned player with numerous All-Star appearances, made an unusual move. He deliberately closed out on his teammate Kawhi Leonard in the corner, seemingly attempting to block Leonard’s three-point shot.
However, despite Harden’s unexpected interference, the possession resulted in a successful basket for the Clippers, as Harden passed to Amir Coffey who was left open on the perimeter.
The real reason why James Harden tried to block Kawhi pic.twitter.com/hQDeQZTvcA
— Arlos Sara (@ArlosNicias) March 21, 2024
The perplexing incident prompted various reactions from fans and observers, who took to social media to express their confusion and amusement. Some speculated about Harden’s motives, wondering if he had momentarily forgotten the context of the game or if he was simply aiming for a highlight moment.
Others found humor in the situation, praising Harden’s defensive effort while humorously noting the irony of him contesting his own teammate’s shot.
unserious @JHarden13 https://t.co/uJNwZ1NVP3 pic.twitter.com/zbADU2O83r
— nmz (@nmzhoops) March 21, 2024
Responding to the speculation, Harden later explained to reporters that his intention was to inject some levity into the team’s atmosphere and provide a moment of amusement for his teammates in the locker room.
James Harden on closing out on Kawhi
Fun Team! pic.twitter.com/kZhL22aXQU
— Law Murray 🧭 (@LawMurrayTheNU) March 21, 2024
While Harden’s actions may have raised eyebrows, they also sparked playful banter among fans and commentators. Some jokingly suggested that Harden might be operating as a “sleeper agent” within his own team, a nod to his past instances of unconventional behavior, often associated with trade requests or high-stakes playoff games.
Harden’s brief lapse in judgment served as an unexpected moment of entertainment in an otherwise routine basketball game, highlighting the playful dynamics that can emerge within professional sports teams.
