INGLEWOOD, Calif. – James Harden showcased his brilliance once more on Wednesday night, delivering a remarkable performance reminiscent of his peak days. The All-Star guard dazzled with a 50-point game, his first such feat for the Los Angeles Clippers and the 24th of his illustrious career. This places him just one shy of Kobe Bryant’s record for third-most 50-point games in NBA history. The electrifying display unfolded in the Clippers’ new arena, with the notable presence of former President Barack Obama, seated alongside Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
Reflecting on Obama’s attendance, Harden shared the connection they share. “It’s always great to have someone like him at the game,” Harden remarked with a smile, suggesting it might have spurred his stellar performance. Prior to this, Harden had already notched three 40-point games this season, yet reaching the 50-point milestone had proved elusive since his league-leading scoring days with the Houston Rockets from 2017 to 2020. His timing couldn’t have been better for the Clippers, who, coming off a blown 23-point lead against Phoenix and lacking key players Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell, needed a boost.
At 35, Harden becomes the second-oldest player in NBA history to score 50 points on consecutive nights without rest. He follows closely behind the legendary Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who achieved this at an older age in February 2024. “Harden’s ability to score 50 points, especially on back-to-backs at his age, is a testament to his enduring talent,” lauded Clippers coach Ty Lue. “His dedication to compete and play intense minutes again tonight was crucial for us.”
Harden reignited the Clippers’ momentum by scoring 23 points in the opening quarter. He concluded the game with a phenomenal shooting performance, hitting 14 out of 24 shots, including six three-pointers, and converting 16 of 20 free throws. Remarkably, this marks Harden’s fourth career 50-point game executed with 25 or fewer shot attempts, unmatched in the shot-clock era since 1954-55. Despite playing 38 minutes, Harden assured it was manageable for him. “I’ve done it before,” he commented confidently.
Throughout NBA history, Wilt Chamberlain holds the remarkable record of reaching 50 points or more in 118 games, followed by Michael Jordan with 31 and Bryant with 25. While Bryant had numerous scoring exhibitions in Los Angeles, Harden’s performance stands out as the most impressive in the recently inaugurated Intuit Dome, which is set to host next season’s NBA All-Star Game. This was also the eighth time in Clippers history for a player to hit the 50-point mark, the first since Lou Williams in January 2018 against Golden State. In league records, Harden joins the ranks of Williams, Bob McAdoo, and World B. Free, tying for the most 40-point games by a Clippers player in a single season.
Despite his historic night, Harden missed the chance for a post-game photo op with Obama. “He had already left,” Harden said, poking fun at the former President’s swift departure. “I guess he wanted to beat the traffic.”
ESPN Research and The Associated Press assisted in compiling this report.