James Harden delivered a standout performance on Wednesday night, scoring a season-high 43 points in just 32 minutes to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a commanding 121-96 victory over the Washington Wizards.
This win improved the Clippers’ record to 12-8, while the Wizards dropped their 13th consecutive game, falling to 2-15 on the season.
Harden wasted no time, tallying 23 points in the first quarter, including seven three-pointers. He surpassed his previous season high of 29 points by halftime. This was Harden’s highest-scoring game since he notched 44 points in March 2021.
Ivica Zubac added a dominant 18 points and 16 rebounds, helping Los Angeles secure its second-largest margin of victory this season.
The Wizards struggled offensively, particularly after losing Kyle Kuzma to a rib injury early in the game. Jonas Valanciunas and Malcolm Brogdon provided some resistance, contributing 17 points each. However, Washington’s defensive lapses allowed the Clippers to pull away.
Harden extended Los Angeles’ lead to 81-59 with back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter, effectively ending any hopes of a Washington comeback. Despite sitting out the fourth quarter, Harden’s contribution underscored his offensive prowess.
The Clippers showcased depth despite missing Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, and other key players due to injuries. Nicolas Batum and Jordan Miller made notable contributions off the bench, while Kris Dunn facilitated ball movement with three assists.
For the Wizards, turnovers and inefficient shooting plagued their efforts. Jordan Poole, who managed just eight points on 1-of-7 shooting, epitomized the team’s struggles
The Wizards have now lost 13 straight games, edging closer to last season’s franchise-worst losing streak of 16 games.
