Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden delivered a sensational performance, scoring 50 points in a thrilling 123-115 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. The game marked Harden’s 24th career 50-point game and his first since joining the Clippers.
James Harden's historic night
James Harden was on fire from the start, scoring 23 points in the first quarter alone. His explosive performance helped the Clippers secure an important win, with Harden's 50-point game becoming the eighth in franchise history and the first since Lou Williams accomplished the feat on January 10, 2018, against Golden State.
The 76ers' former star, now with Los Angeles, showed why he is still one of the league's most dangerous players, leading the team to victory despite missing key players like Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Norman Powell (hamstring).
LA Clippers’ supporting cast steps up
While Harden stole the spotlight, his teammates also contributed significantly to the win. Ivica Zubac put up a solid 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Additionally, Bogdan Bogdanovic added 23 points, playing a crucial role in keeping the Clippers competitive in a high-scoring game.
Detroit Pistons' resilient performance led by Cade Cunningham
Despite the loss, Detroit's Cade Cunningham had a standout performance, finishing with 37 points and 10 assists. Cunningham's efforts helped keep the game close, as the Pistons had been on a strong run of form, winning 10 of their last 11 games before Wednesday’s defeat.
A key turning point for the Clippers
The game was tight midway through the fourth quarter when the Clippers were trailing by two. Bogdanovic hit two crucial three-pointers and drew an offensive foul, while Harden added the next four points in a pivotal 10-0 run, giving Los Angeles a commanding 107-99 lead.
This momentum shift proved to be the turning point, allowing the Clippers to hold off Detroit and secure the win.
James Harden joins elite company in Clippers history
With his 50-point outburst, Harden became only the fourth player in Clippers history to register at least four 40-point games in a single season, joining Bob McAdoo, World B. Free, and Lou Williams in this exclusive club.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Pistons will look to rebound as they travel to face the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Clippers will host the New York Knicks on Friday, hoping to build on their much-needed win against Detroit.