James Harden recorded his first 50 level sport for the Clippers on Thursday night time, as he led his workforce to an in depth win towards the Detroit Pistons.
First 50-ball in LA for James Harden
It’s been a very long time since James Harden final scored 50 factors in a single sport, however the veteran was capable of attain the half-century mark on Wednesday night time for the primary time since 2019.
On an evening the place each Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell have been watching on from the bench, the mantle fell to Harden to hold the Clippers on the scoring entrance.
Harden obtained off to a fast begin in LA, scoring 23 factors within the first half earlier than including one other 27 within the second interval.
The 35-year-old shot 14-24 from the sector, together with 6-13 three pointers made however it was his fouls that after once more raised eyebrows. Of his 50 factors, Harden scored 20 free throws in a sport the place he shot extra from the road than your entire opposition workforce (19).
No matter what number of he shot from the road, Harden recording his twenty fourth profession 50-point sport on the age of 35 is a few spectacular feat.
When requested after the sport how arduous it was scoring 50 on a second sport in a again to again, Harden defined that it’s nothing new to him.
“I can do it, it’s not my first time,” Harden mentioned. “For somebody who’s executed it in all probability their first time takes lots of power, however for me it’s simply understanding the sport. Seeing the sport inside the sport.”
Harden is averaging 21.6 factors, 5.8 rebounds and eight.6 assists per sport in hiss fifteenth 12 months within the league and he’s exhibiting no indicators of slowing down after one other memorable profession night time.
WATCH: James Harden scores 50 towards Pistons
Pistons sad with Harden fouls
It’s protected to say that the high-flying Pistons weren’t too proud of Harden after his 50-point sport, with head coach JB Bickerstaff explaining the 11-time All-Star was unguardable for all the unsuitable causes.
“I imply, once more, give him a ton of credit score, however in the event you’re not allowed to place your physique on him legally, and he’s allowed to shoot 20 free throws you’re not going to have the ability to guard it,” mentioned Bickerstaff. “You understand what I imply? He’s an elite offensive weapon who can rating in a bunch of the way. However when he’s allowed to get to the free throw line 20 occasions it simply makes your job extraordinarily troublesome.”
The Pistons had a proper to be annoyed with some smooth fouls on Harden, who has been infamous for baiting free throws all through his profession.
One other loss for Detroit dropped them right down to sixth seed within the Japanese Convention as they proceed to lose floor on the highest 5.
