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James Harden · The city of Inglewood hadn’t enjoyed the luxury of an in-person playoff game since those in purple-and-gold captivated crowds in the 1990s. But, in the first-ever postseason showdown inside Intuit Dome, James Harden ensured that the L.A. Clippers’ version of “Showtime” was one worth remembering, too. Captaining a final-minute, never-look-back charge at the first quarter’s end, Harden — as if maneuvering pieces on a chess board — keeps Nikola Jokić and Peyton Watson invested in a could-be drive long enough to mask his intentions. Ultimately pulling the trigger on a behind-the-back feed, Los Angeles’ 11-time All-Star reaps the rewards of unselfish play after his teammate connects on a spot-on spot-up. Harden’s all-seeing presence coincided with a first quarter runaway that prompted an 18-point halftime edge, and eventually, a 34-point blowout. The multifaceted play concluded with 20 points (on 6-of-14 shooting), six rebounds, nine assists, and three 3-pointers, giving the Clippers a 2-1 series edge over the Denver Nuggets on April 24, 2025. · State of Mint