Is James Harden playing tonight vs Warriors? Exploring 1xMVP's status for preseason game (Oct. 5)

James Harden is available to play for the LA Clippers' game against the Golden State Warriors in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday. “The Beard” didn’t suffer any injury in last season’s playoffs and showed up for training camp looking shredded.

The Clippers don’t start their regular season until Oct. 23 when they host the Phoenix Suns at their brand-new Intuit Dome. Harden is not ruled out against the Dubs, and could still appear in all of LA's four preseason games.

---

James Harden has “high expectations” for himself and the Clippers

Harden agreed to a two-year, $70 million deal with the LA Clippers that included a player option in the second year. Following the departures of Paul George and Russell Westbrook, Harden had this to say to reporters during the Clippers’ media day:

“I’m home. I don’t plan on going anywhere else. I wanna leave a legacy. … A lot of outsiders or people that are analysts don’t have high expectations for us, but we have high expectations for ourselves. Me individually, I’ve never missed the playoffs in my career.”

Without the two superstars, James Harden now has a clearer and more defined role than last season. During the 2023-24 campaign, he had to adjust to his new teammates and shared point guard duties with Westbrook.

George, a fixture in Ty Lue's starting unit, also ate some of Harden’s minutes. The former Houston Rockets star doesn’t have to worry about those issues next season. He may even have to carry the Clippers if Kawhi Leonard's knees don't cooperate.

It remains to be seen if he can live up to his lofty expectations.

---

James Harden made a big claim about his shape before training camp

In the past, James Harden's shape leading to training camps often get the spotlight. When he didn't play well, NBA observers often point out how "The Beard" had to get in shape when the regular season had already started.

Harden nipped that issue in the bud during the LA Clippers' media day.

“Start of the season I’m gonna be probably - not probably, the best shape I’ve been in 5, 6, 7 years. I don’t really wanna talk. I just wanna go out there and show it.”

Without George and Westbrook and Leonard's knees questionable, the Clippers are desperate for Harden to walk the talk.