After a blowout on the second night of a back-to-back to the Boston Celtics, the Clippers had a blowout of their own on Wednesday night to improve to 12-8 on the season. With Norm Powell missing another game, James Harden exploded for 43 points in 32 minutes to lead the Clippers to a 121-96 victory.
James Harden was FEELING IT tonight in DC!
— NBA (@NBA) November 28, 2024
🔥 43 PTS (59.1 FG%)
🔥 7 3PM
🔥 7 AST
🔥 3 STL
🔥 W pic.twitter.com/q0VUJcwfz7
Harden had his highest scoring game of his Clippers tenure, and immediately came out with bounce and looking to score. With 23 points in the first quarter alone, Harden passed Paul George’s mark set in April of 2021 for the most in Clipper history.
This year has been inefficient for Harden, but he is still putting up over 20 PPG, however Wednesday night’s version is probably the version of James that a lot of Clipper fans were expecting coming in.
This was Harden’s first 20 point quarter since 2020, and first 40 point game in the regular season since 2021.
The duo that fans have coined “Zuno” was on display yet again though. Ivica Zubac is the second part of the duo and he had another fantastic game, scoring 18 points, grabbing 16 rebounds on 9-11 shooting.
BIG ZU's putting his SPIN on things 🌀 pic.twitter.com/4k4UYO0uCS
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 28, 2024
With the big man playing like he is currently, and Harden breaking out offensively, this team has unlocked their offense (despite the loss in Boston).
While it was a blowout, the Clippers only had four players in double figures but a few off the bench kept the lead over 20 while the starters rested in the 4th.
Jordan Miller has been filling in a rotation spot while Norm Powell has been out, and he had one of his best games of the young season. Miller scored 15 points in 20 minutes, once again proving that he deserves playing time, even when Powell comes back.
Miller Time ‼️ pic.twitter.com/yaqgNDSkjr
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 28, 2024
Bones Hyland also got some extended run and made the most of it for the first time in a while. Hyland scored 10 points in just over 7 minutes, draining 3 three-pointers in that span.
All in all, it was a cruise to victory for the Clippers, as they now turn to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. The NBA Cup game is scheduled to tipoff at 4:30 PM PST.