J ames Harden delivered his most complete performance of the season on Friday night, lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 133–127 double-overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks in NBA Cup group play.
Harden finished with 41 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in 51 minutes, producing his 82nd career triple-double and his eighth with the Clippers, which is the most in franchise history. He scored 10 points across the two overtime periods and controlled the game whenever Los Angeles needed a steady hand.
The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Clippers, who improved to 4–8 overall and 2–0 in West Group B. Dallas fell to 3–10 and 0–2 in Cup play.
Clippers pull ahead late behind Harden
Los Angeles led by 12 early in the fourth quarter before the Mavericks rallied behind D’Angelo Russell, who scored eight straight points to tie the game at 114 with 52.4 seconds left. Both teams had chances in the final seconds of regulation, but neither converted, sending the matchup to overtime.
Harden responded with two step-back threes in the first overtime and repeatedly bailed out a short-handed Clippers lineup battling fatigue. Dallas forced a second overtime when rookie Cooper Flagg converted a driving finish with 20 seconds remaining to tie the score at 123.
Harden appeared to win the game in the final second of the first overtime, but a goaltending call on Daniel Gafford was overturned after review.
In the second overtime, Harden opened with a pair of free throws and a strong drive to regain control for Los Angeles. The Clippers held Dallas scoreless for the final two minutes, and Derrick Jones Jr. Sealed the result with two free throws with 2:20 remaining.
Zubac and Bogdanovic deliver strong support
Harden’s brilliance was complemented by dominant interior play from Ivica Zubac. The Clippers center finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds on 11-of-15 shooting, consistently winning positioning around the rim.
Bogdan Bogdanovic added 21 points off the bench and hit five three-pointers, giving the Clippers timely scoring whenever Dallas threatened to swing the momentum. Jones added 15 points and contributed several defensive plays during the overtime periods.
Mavericks battle undermanned, but late mistakes prove costly
Dallas remained competitive despite another night with a decimated roster. Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and P.J. Washington Jr. Were all out again, though Dereck Lively II returned after missing nine games with a sprained knee. He recorded four points and five rebounds in 17 minutes.
Naji Marshall, making his first start of the season, scored 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Russell also scored 28 and added five assists while guiding the fourth-quarter comeback. Flagg logged 48 minutes and contributed 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Dallas’ undoing came through turnovers and cold shooting late. The Mavericks committed 25 turnovers that led to 26 Clippers points. They also shot only 28 percent from three-point range and missed multiple clean looks in both overtime periods.
Daniel Gafford added 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Klay Thompson finished with 13 points.
Injuries continue to define both teams
Dallas has yet to play a game this season with its full starting lineup available. The loss continued a difficult stretch for a roster still adjusting to the midweek firing of general manager Nico Harrison.
The Clippers were also shorthanded. Bradley Beal is out for the season with a fractured hip, and Kawhi Leonard missed his sixth straight game with an ankle and foot injury.
Even with depleted rotations, both teams produced one of the most dramatic NBA Cup games of the year.
Up next
The Clippers travel to Boston for a meeting with the Celtics on Sunday.
The Mavericks return to NBA Cup action next week still searching for their first win in group play.
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