The City of Angels is buzzing with excitement as James Harden and P.J. Tucker walked into the LA Clippers’ locker room, creating a thrilling reunion with their former teammate, Russell Westbrook. Although the proposed trade between the Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers was not yet official in the late hours of a Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the Clippers wasted no time in welcoming the new stars.
As soon as Harden and Tucker stepped out of their SUV in the Crypto.com Arena loading dock, they were greeted with open arms by the Clippers’ organization. Team president Lawrence Frank extended a warm welcome to both players, guiding them to their new locker room. But the surprises didn’t end there, as Clippers owner Steve Ballmer joined the reception, personally shaking hands with Harden and Tucker.
Inside the locker room, Westbrook and Harden shared a special moment, rekindling their former partnership from their days in Oklahoma City and Houston. The camaraderie was evident as Westbrook jokingly suggested that Harden should take the opposite side of the room, where his new locker was situated, sparking laughter among the teammates.
The reunion didn’t stop at Westbrook and Harden. Tucker also joined the conversation, sitting alongside Westbrook and Paul George to catch up. The locker room buzzed with anticipation over an hour before the Clippers’ showdown against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.
Amid the excitement, a reporter couldn’t help but ask Harden how excited he was about this new chapter. Harden’s reply was simple but full of enthusiasm, “You don’t understand.”
As if the scene couldn’t get any more surreal, Harden sang along to “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” by the Gap Band, which played in the nearby trainer’s room. The vibe was electric, and it was clear that these new additions were ready to make an impact.
While the trade had yet to be officially confirmed on that Tuesday night, it was widely expected that Harden and Tucker would not be suiting up for the game against the Los Angeles Lakers the following day. However, with four days off before their upcoming three-game road swing in New York against the Knicks on Monday, the Clippers had the perfect opportunity to conduct a mini training camp for their new stars once the deal became official.
Clippers coach Ty Lue refrained from commenting on the trade before Tuesday night’s game, respecting the protocol of waiting for the official confirmation. The Clippers went on to secure a 118-102 victory against the Orlando Magic, setting a positive tone for the arrival of their new stars.
Stay tuned for more updates as James Harden, P.J. Tucker, and the LA Clippers embark on an exciting journey together in the NBA. The stage is set for an epic reunion, and fans can’t wait to see what this dynamic trio will achieve on the court.
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