Even before he didn’t play in the fourth, Harden was under the spotlight considering he played for the Rockets from the 2012-13 season until they traded him to the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-21 campaign.

His name is all over the franchise record book where he is second in Rockets history in total points, first in assists, first in three-point field goals made, first in triple-doubles, seventh in rebounds and third in steals. He also had the chance to make NBA history, as he entered play just six three-pointers behind Ray Allen for second all-time.

Only Stephen Curry (3,779) has made more career threes than Allen’s 2,973, although it looked like Harden would make the jump into second with a red-hot start that saw him connect on his first four shots from the field and three shots from downtown as he poured in 12 points in the first quarter alone.

However, Houston largely seized control from there with its balanced attack.

Green and Dillon Brooks found their stroke from deep, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason provided a spark off the bench, Fred VanVleet added some scoring even while struggling with efficiency, and Şengün did a little bit of everything as he controlled the boards, protected the rim and facilitated when defenders collapsed on him.

As a result, the Rockets were in full control by the fourth quarter, especially with Harden struggling from the field after his performance in the first quarter.

Yet Los Angeles cut a 19-point deficit to as little as four by the final two minutes before Houston ultimately held on for the win. Perhaps Lue didn’t want to disrupt the momentum his team built by putting Harden and Powell back into the game during the run, but it still led to some questions from fans who were watching.

The two teams play again Friday, so Harden will have another opportunity to hand his former club a loss.