James Harden’s scorching form continues in loss to Pelicans

Despite their recent strong play, the Los Angeles Clippers faltered on Tuesday night, falling 127-120 to the New Orleans Pelicans. The loss snapped New Orleans’ four-game losing streak, while the Clippers missed an opportunity to gain ground in the Western Conference standings. However, James Harden continued his red-hot form, standing out once again.

Harden delivered another strong performance, finishing with 25 points and 17 assists. It was a mixed shooting night for the veteran guard, as he went 6-of-15 from the field and 4-of-11 from beyond the arc while committing six turnovers. 

The Clippers struggled early, missing 13 of their first 14 three-point attempts and falling behind by as many as 21 points in the first half. Harden helped lead a comeback push, but Los Angeles ultimately fell short as Zion Williamson’s triple-double of 22 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists sealed the victory for New Orleans.

At 35 years old, Harden is proving he remains one of the league’s most lethal scorers and productive playmakers. Since his 50-point explosion against the Detroit Pistons on Mar. 5, he has led the NBA in total points scored (131). 

Over his last five games, he also tops the league in total assists (55), narrowly edging out Nikola Jokic (54), Trae Young (52) and Luka Doncic (51). His recent performances have kept the Clippers competitive as they push toward the postseason.

Since the All-Star break, Harden has elevated his numbers to 26 points and 9.3 assists per game—the latter ranking fourth in the league over that span. He has also been a major threat from beyond the arc, sitting in the top five in total three-pointers made (41) during this stretch.

With Kawhi Leonard sidelined due to injury for the most part, Harden has once again shouldered a significant role for Los Angeles this season. The 11-time All-Star is playing with a renewed sense of urgency, demonstrating that he still has plenty left in the tank. His contributions have been crucial for a Clippers team fighting to climb the standings in a crowded Western Conference playoff race.

The Clippers (35-30) currently hold the eighth seed but remain within striking distance of a higher position. They trail the Golden State Warriors by just two games for the coveted sixth seed, which would allow them to avoid the play-in tournament. With Harden leading the charge, Los Angeles will need to build momentum down the stretch if it hopes to secure a direct playoff berth.