The veteran guard praised the Swiss center's all-around game following Thursday's victory over the Utah Jazz.
The Los Angeles Clippers have found their rhythm at just the right time, and the emergence of rookie center Yanic Konan Niederhauser has been a key part of their recent surge.
After the Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz 118-101 on Thursday night to extend their winning streak to a season-best six games, James Harden made it clear he believes the young big man from Switzerland has a bright future ahead of him.
Harden Praises Niederhauser's Complete Game
When asked about the 22-year-old Penn State product following the win, Harden did not hold back with his praise for what he has seen from Niederhauser during the team's hot streak.
"From his rim running to rebounding to boxing out...sky's the limit for him," Harden said.
The comments highlight the variety of ways Niederhauser has impacted games since stepping into a larger role.
The rookie has done the dirty work that often goes unnoticed, setting physical screens, fighting for position on the glass, and finishing plays at the rim when Harden and Kawhi Leonard create opportunities for him.
Rising to the Occasion
Over the last four games, Niederhauser has averaged 16 minutes per contest while shooting an impressive 72.7 percent from the field.
He posted a career-high 16 points on 75 percent shooting in the blowout win against the Sacramento Kings on December 30th, and his energy off the bench has given the Clippers a lift they desperately needed after Ivica Zubac went down with a left ankle sprain.
The 30th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft spent the first two months of the season glued to the bench, but necessity forced head coach Tyronn Lue to dig deeper into his rotation.
What the Clippers found was a young center with soft hands around the rim, excellent coordination, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team win.
Leonard Leads the Charge
The Clippers (12-21) entered the season with high expectations but stumbled badly out of the gate. However, since their six-game winning streak began, Leonard has been on a tear that ranks among the best stretches of his career.
He scored 45 points against the Jazz on Thursday and has averaged 37.8 points during the winning streak, including a career-high 55-point explosion against the Detroit Pistons.
Harden has complemented Leonard nicely during this run, posting 20 points, seven assists, and three rebounds against Utah before sitting out the fourth quarter with the game in hand.
The two veterans have carried the scoring load, but Niederhauser's contributions have allowed the Clippers to maintain their momentum even without Zubac anchoring the middle.
The Clippers will look to extend their winning streak on Saturday when they host the Boston Celtics at Intuit Dome.
With Leonard playing at an elite level, Harden running the offense efficiently, and Niederhauser continuing to grow in his expanded role, Los Angeles finally looks like the team many expected to see at the start of the season.