James Harden’s scoring outburst brings him closer to Kobe Bryant’s milestone

The 35-year-old wasted no time, scoring 23 points in the first quarter alone, hinting at something special. By the end of the game, he had shot 14-of-24 from the field, including six three-pointers, while contributing four rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in a well-rounded effort. The NBA veteran's efficiency was a key factor in leading the Clippers to victory.

The performance marked the eighth 50-point game in franchise history and the first since Lou Williams achieved the feat in Golden State on Jan. 10, 2018. Ivica Zubac contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 23 points. For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham posted 37 points and 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough to prevent just their second loss in the past 12 games.

The Clippers had been struggling, having lost three straight and six of their last seven games, so Harden’s vintage performance was much-needed. Through 59 games this season, he is averaging 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.5 steals, though shooting a modest 39.2 percent from the field. Still, his contributions remain invaluable.

With the win, the Clippers remain firmly in the play-in race, currently sitting eighth in the Western Conference with a 33-29 record. However, they are just one game behind the sixth-place Warriors, which would guarantee a full postseason berth. 

As the season progresses, the star guard's scoring ability, along with the health of Leonard and the supporting cast, will be critical to Los Angeles' playoff hopes. The team will rely on Harden’s continued excellence as the Clippers look to secure a strong position going into the postseason.