TL;DR
- Los Angeles Clippers defeated Charlotte Hornets 131-116, improving their record to 5-11.
- James Harden scored 55 points, setting a new Clippers franchise record.
- Harden tied Kobe Bryant for third all-time in NBA history with 25 career 50-point games.
- Harden is averaging 38.4 points in his last five games while Kawhi Leonard is injured.
Saturday saw the Los Angeles Clippers improve their record to 5-11 following a crucial 131-116 triumph against the Charlotte Hornets, while 2018 MVP James Harden achieved a personal milestone, scoring 55 points on 17-of-26 field goal attempts (65.4%).
Los Angeles' 36-year-old guard and11-time All-Star took on the role of a one-man wrecking crew from the outset, as he scored a ridiculous 27 points in the first quarter, alone.
With his latest epic scoring performance, Harden broke yet another record and joined rarefied air alongside former 18-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, according to ClutchPoints' Tomer Azarly.
"James Harden ties Kobe Bryant for most 50-point games in NBA history," Azarly shared via X on Saturday.
"He trails only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan."
Harden's 25th career game with 50 points or more placed him in a tie with the five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer for the third spot on the league's all-time list for 50-point performances.
In addition to his other achievements, he also set a new franchise record for points scored in a single game by The Clippers, thanks to his exceptional play.
The Clippers' season has seen Harden performing exceptionally well, averaging an impressive 38.4 points in his last five games while teammate Kawhi Leonard is out with an ankle issue.
The former Houston Rockets star, recognized as one of the league's premier scorers, seems to have rediscovered his prime form. His current remarkable performance strongly echoes his peak season with Houston in 2018-19, where he achieved a personal best of 36.1 points across 78 contests.
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