The 2025-26 season has not been kind to the Los Angeles Clippers. Coming off a shocking 50-win season the year prior, one where Kawhi Leonard logged just 37 games, the Clippers added key veteran talents in Brook Lopez, John Collins, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul to give themselves one of the deepest rosters on paper in the NBA.

Unfortunately, this year has been filled with injuries and misfortune, with a handful of game-tying or game-winning shots failing to drop for them. Recently, against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers found themselves down two points with just seconds left on the clock. While James Harden got two attempts at a game-winner, a missed call cost them the game.

NBA Admits Mistake In Clippers vs 76ers

Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) on X The NBA says James Harden should have shot three free throws with the Clippers down 110-108 last night. Grimes hit his arm on the go-ahead three-point attempt.

Receiving the inbound pass from Clippers guard Kobe Sanders, Harden got the one-on-one opportunity against Philadelphia's Quentin Grimes. With eight seconds remaining, Harden went to his signature step-back three, missing the 26-foot jumper. He'd make contact with Grimes, where no foul was called, and missed the second-chance shot to end the game.

Upon further review, the NBA admitted that it was an incorrect no-call, and Harden should've received three free-throws on his game-winning shot attempt.

"Grimes (PHI) makes contact with Harden's (LAC) left arm, which affects his jump shot attempt," the NBA's Last Two-Minute report revealed.

Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) on X “During live play, it was deemed that Grimes legally contested Harden’s three-point shot.” From the NBA’s Pool Report after the Clippers lost to Philadelphia.

With Harden being 12-of-12 from the free-throw line in the game and shooting 91.2% on the season, there's a strong chance Harden knocks down all three attempts and gives Philadelphia the ball back with a 111-110 lead with around six seconds remaining on the clock.

Unfortunately, there's nothing the Clippers can do about it, as missed calls happen all the time, and the focus remains on continuing their seven-game road trip. Harden had 28 points in the game, meaning those three free-throws could've given him his third-straight 30-point game.

What's Ahead For Los Angeles?

Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) on X Clippers' last 9 games: L L W L L L L L L The Thunder own the Clippers' first-round pick this year.

With two nights off, the Clippers will return to action on Thursday, facing the Orlando Magic, who secured a win against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. The Magic are currently playing without their star forward, Paolo Banchero, but still have a strong roster with Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs at the helm.

To round out their road trip, they'll play the Charlotte Hornets and the Cleveland Cavaliers before heading back to Los Angeles to face the Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena. It's a tough stretch ahead for the Clippers, and they'll need to hope not bad calls cost them another win in a year where they don't own their first-round pick.