James Harden fights off illness to push Rockets to Game 6

Fighting an illness all day with his team’s playoff hopes on life support, James Harden did more than just play through it Tuesday night.

Harden posted his first career playoff triple double, scoring 26 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing 10 assists as the Rockets staved off elimination with a 124-103 Game 5 trouncing of the Clippers at the Toyota Center.

“He had a hell of a game,” said Kevin McHale of Harden. “He had an IV this afternoon and he played a great game for us and we needed it.”

The Rockets are down 3-2 in the series with a crucial Game 6 set for Thursday in Los Angeles. MK Bower joins Clutch to discuss the ugly showings in L.A., Harden’s performance in Game 5, the coaching adjustments, Clint freakin’ Capela and what’s on deck at the Staples Center.