The Los Angeles Clippers crushed the Philadelphia 76ers 125-99 on Sunday night, capitalizing on the absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George.
James Harden led the charge with 23 points and eight assists, silencing the boos from Sixers fans as Los Angeles extended its win streak to five games.
Philadelphia’s struggles continued, falling to a 3-13 record despite an 18-point effort from Jared McCain and 17 points from Tyrese Maxey.
The 76ers entered the season as Eastern Conference favorites but now sit at the bottom of the standings.
Harden wasted no time against his former team, scoring 12 points in the first quarter, including a pair of three-pointers. His early offensive burst helped the Clippers to a commanding 21-9 lead, which grew to as much as 33 points in the third quarter.
Ivica Zubac dominated inside with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Derrick Jones Jr. added 18 points.
The Sixers opened the scoring but quickly lost momentum as Los Angeles shot 58% from the field. Philadelphia struggled offensively, shooting just 39.5% and connecting on 23.1% of their three-point attempts. Kelly Oubre Jr. managed 12 points but committed three turnovers.
The Clippers’ bench contributed significantly, with Terance Mann scoring 13 points and Kevin Porter Jr. adding 11. Los Angeles controlled the boards, outrebounding the Sixers 44-33 and tallying 31 assists as a team.
Philadelphia’s depleted lineup also lacked defensive intensity, allowing Los Angeles to hit 12 three-pointers. Despite the return of home support, the Sixers struggled to match the Clippers’ energy and execution.
The Clippers improved their road record to 4-3, showing resilience despite injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, has suffered without Embiid, who remains sidelined with a knee injury. George’s absence compounded their woes, leaving them without their two primary stars.
Philadelphia’s losing streak now stands at four games, with no clear timeline for Embiid’s return. The Sixers are showing signs of a team headed for the draft lottery unless their roster stabilizes soon.
