Harden’s Heroics and Overtime Grit: Clippers Extend Winning Streak in Toronto
The road is an unforgiving place in the NBA, especially when your best player is in street clothes. For the Los Angeles Clippers, a Friday night visit to Scotiabank Arena presented every excuse to fold. Kawhi Leonard was out with a sprained right ankle, robbing the fans in Toronto of a reunion with their 2019 championship hero and robbing Los Angeles of its primary offensive engine.
Yet, this iteration of the Clippers doesn’t seem interested in excuses. In a game defined by grit rather than glamour, Los Angeles clawed back from the brink of defeat to secure a thrilling 121-117 overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors. The win pushed their winning streak to five games and confirmed what is becoming increasingly obvious around the league: this team has found its identity.
Clippers find a way behind Harden’s command
With Leonard sidelined, the spotlight shifted squarely to James Harden. The box score will show a mixed bag of efficiency—he shot 10-for-27 from the field and struggled from deep, hitting just 2 of 15 three-point attempts. But box scores often lie about the emotional tenor of a game. When the Clippers needed a savior, Harden arrived.
Trailing 109-101 with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, the game felt all but over. The offense was stagnant, and the Raptors had momentum. Then, the Beard took over. Harden orchestrated a personal 8-0 run to close the gap, forcing the game into an extra session when the Raptors’ offense suddenly went cold, missing six straight shots.
In overtime, Harden wasted no time asserting dominance, sinking four straight free throws to set the tone. He finished the night with a massive double-double—31 points and 10 assists—proving that even on a night where the jumper isn’t falling consistently, his ability to manipulate the game and get to the line (9-of-10 on free throws) remains elite.
Unlikely heroes step up in the clutch
While Harden steered the ship, he didn’t navigate the storm alone. The Clippers received vital contributions from a supporting cast that is rapidly growing in confidence. Jordan Miller was a revelation, pouring in 19 points and providing the offensive punch the second unit desperately needed.
Cam Christie also showed poise beyond his years, chipping in 16 points, while veteran guard Kris Dunn added 15. It is a testament to the culture being built in Los Angeles that on a night when the stars aren’t aligned, the “next man up” mentality isn’t just a cliché—it’s a game plan. The bench production was essential in countering Toronto’s attack, led by Scottie Barnes (24 points) and Brandon Ingram (19 points).
Zubac anchors the paint upon return
Perhaps the most understated aspect of this victory was the return of Ivica Zubac. After sitting out Wednesday’s win against Washington with a sprained left ankle, the big man was a force in the middle. Zubac recorded a quintessential double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, controlling the glass and providing a safety valve for the guards when drives to the rim stalled.
His presence was particularly felt in overtime, where every possession carries the weight of the game. Having a reliable anchor allowed the Clippers’ perimeter defenders to press out on Toronto’s shooters, knowing Zubac was looming in the paint to clean up mistakes.
Turning the season around
This win signifies more than just a single checkmark in the “W” column; it represents a complete turnaround of the Clippers’ season. It is hard to believe this is the same squad that started the year with a dismal 6-21 record. Since that rocky start, Los Angeles has won 12 of its last 14 games.
They are learning how to win ugly, how to win on the road (now 7-14 away from home, but winners of four of their last five road contests), and how to win without their full roster. The Raptors, conversely, suffered a heartbreaking collapse, losing for only the second time in 21 games when leading after three quarters.
The Clippers now head to Washington on Monday with momentum on their side. They aren’t just surviving the grueling NBA schedule; they are thriving in it. Friday night in Toronto proved that even without Kawhi Leonard, this team has enough heart—and enough Harden—to keep the streak alive.
