Letting go Chris Paul is the most shocking move the Los Angeles Clippers have made in the past month but it is not the most impactful according to James Harden. For The Beard, it is the decision to make Brook Lopez start.
Lopez was acquired by the Clippers over the summer as a free agent from the Milwaukee Bucks with whom he won his first NBA title. He became the Splash Mountain while with the Wisconsin-based team and is now strutting that ability for the Clips.
Coach Ty Lue was excited over Lopez’s arrival saying he brings him back to the times he was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers during Lebron James’ second run.
However, he did not see a lot of minutes in the first two months when they were struggling heavily.
Clips are now on a four-game winning streak and people think they are now turning things around. Lopez started in three of those, which is an emergency move following the injury to starting center Ivica Zubac early in their dominant win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The other three victories were no easy feats. They were against the Kevin Durant-led Houston Rockets, on the road against the Portland Trailblazers, and against Eastern Conference’s best team Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Lopez hit his career high nine threes in win over Portland where he finished with season high 31 points.
WHAT A NIGHT FOR BROOK LOPEZ!
🚢 31 PTS
🚢 9 3PM (career-high)@LAClippers win their 3rd straight! pic.twitter.com/evO0a0ajPz— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025
Brook Lopez becomes the third player in NBA history with NINE 3-PT FG in a game after turning 37, joining Stephen Curry (four times) and LeBron James (twice). pic.twitter.com/7rMSYTu4fe
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 27, 2025
James Harden highlights Brook Lopez’s impact
Kawhi Leonard exploded for 55 points against Detroit while Lopez had 7 points. Harden himself was also splendid with 28 points and 7 assists.
Harden is giving credit to the latter’s overall impact for the good changes that are happening to them.
“Honestly, credit to Brook. What he brings to the table defensively. His communication, him contesting shots at the rim, shot-making ability, spacing,” Harden said when asked by Clippers reporter Joey Linn about their current run.
“A combination of those things has helped us overall as a team offensively… True professional. One of the ultimate professional guys we have in this league.”
Here’s the full quote from Harden:
James Harden went out of his way to credit Brook Lopez for this run the Clippers are on:
“Honestly, credit to Brook. What he brings to the table defensively. His communication, him contesting shots at the rim, shot-making ability, spacing. A combination of those things has… pic.twitter.com/k8lGs1Jaw8
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) December 29, 2025
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