James Harden scores 50 in Clippers win after embarrassing loss

The Los Angeles Clippers were involved in two significant games this week. First, on Tuesday, they lost 119-117 to the Phoenix Suns after blowing a 23 point lead. Then on Wednesday, James Harden was exemplary in the second game of a back-to-back in a 123-115 Clippers win over the Detroit Pistons as The Beard scored 50 points.

On Tuesday, the Clippers were leading the Suns 95-72 with two minutes and one second left in the third quarter. The Suns then went on a 47-22 run to close out the remainder of the game to win by a single field goal. Phoenix got a key three-point shot from 26 feet by point guard Collin Gillespie of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter. At the time, the Suns took a 119-114 lead.

On Wednesday, the Clippers and Pistons were tied at 57 at the half, when Los Angeles had an exceptional second half as they outscored Detroit 66-58. Harden made 14 of 24 field goals, six of 13 three point shots, and 16 of 20 free throws. He also had four rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Harden was also a +13.

Harden now has 24 50-point games in his career. That is the fourth most 50 point games of all-time. The only three players with more 50 point games are Wilt Chamberlain (118), Michael Jordan (31), and Kobe Bryant (25). This was Harden’s first 50 point game since joining the Clippers on November 1, 2023, as the other 23 were with the Houston Rockets. The Clippers are eighth in the West at 33 wins and 29 losses, and lead the Suns four gamed for a spot in the play-in tournament.