James Harden played a pivotal role as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 104-88 in an NBA Cup game on Friday night. Harden finished with 22 points and nine assists, helping the Clippers improve to 10-7 on the season.
The Clippers took control early with a dominant 20-1 run in the first quarter. By halftime, they had a commanding 51-29 lead, largely thanks to their excellent ball control, committing just three turnovers.
Derrick Jones Jr. added 17 points for Los Angeles, continuing the team’s strong offensive performance. The Clippers extended their perfect home record to seven straight wins after initially struggling at the Intuit Dome.
De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento with 29 points, but his 25-point second half effort wasn’t enough to overcome the Kings’ early struggles. Fox, who had been on fire recently, couldn’t get going in the first half, and Sacramento’s shooting woes only worsened as the game progressed.
Domantas Sabonis returned from a two-game absence due to a back injury and contributed 24 points and 15 rebounds. However, his performance wasn’t enough to lift the Kings, who also saw DeMar DeRozan chip in with 16 points in his return after a back injury kept him out since Nov. 15.
The Kings struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 7 of 35 three-pointers (20%), while the Clippers shot a more efficient 23.8% from long range. Sacramento’s shooting troubles were compounded by their inability to cut into Los Angeles’ substantial lead.
Harden’s all-around play helped keep the Clippers in control throughout the game, as he shot 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
The Clippers’ defense also played a critical role, forcing 13 turnovers and limiting the Kings’ second-chance opportunities.
Sacramento couldn’t find a rhythm early, and though they mounted a second-half push, the hole they dug in the first quarter proved too deep.
For the Clippers, Ivica Zubac had a strong showing with 10 points and 15 rebounds, while Amir Coffey contributed 11 points in a solid team effort. Kevin Porter Jr. added 14 points, but the night belonged to Harden, who orchestrated the offense and led Los Angeles to a comfortable victory.
The win puts the Clippers at 1-1 in the NBA Cup, and they now look forward to their upcoming road trip. Sacramento (8-8), on the other hand, will look to bounce back as they prepare to host the Brooklyn Nets.
