James Harden's vintage performance gets Clippers back on track

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- James Harden has been a staple for this Los Angeles Clippers team in 2025, earning an All-Star appearance and leading them without key players in the lineup. 

On the second night of a back-to-back, Harden turned back the clock to 2019 and had a 50 point game that came with a thunderous dunk in front of former president Barack Obama. 

Harden looked to score from the opening tip, with 23 in the first quarter alone and ending the game with 14 points in the fourth quarter. 

With 4 players out for the Clippers on Wednesday night, against a Detroit Pistons team that had won 10 of 11 games coming in, it was imperative for Harden to rise to the occasion. He did just that. 

Along with Harden, Bogdan Bogdanovic had his best game as a Clipper with 23 points and Ivica Zubac continued his hot stretch with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Nobody else outside of those 3 scored in double figures. 

After a brutal loss in Phoenix where the Clippers saw a 23 point lead evaporate towrope them to the 9 seed in the West, Harden's throwback game proved to be the difference against the feisty Pistons, led by 37 points from up and coming star Cade Cunningham. 

These performances for a 35 year old point guard are not common, which makes Harden such a valuable asset for this Clipper team. It says a lot that he can play 38 minutes with a undermanned squad and propel them to a must win victory. 

Now, he has the most in the short Intuit Dome's history and has the Clippers back on track after a demoralizing loss just 24 hours earlier against the Suns. 

The Clippers will have another test coming up on Friday as they take on the Knicks at Intuit Dome. Although, Harden should have some reinforcements for that one. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM PST.