In a dominant performance on Wednesday night, James Harden led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 134-117 victory over the playoff-bound Houston Rockets, marking their sixth consecutive win. Harden, who was instrumental throughout the game, finished with 35 points and 10 assists.
The Clippers (48-32) were firing on all cylinders, taking full advantage of a Rockets team that rested several of their key players. Houston (52-28), having already secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, opted to give regulars like Dillon Brooks and Alperen Sengun a break before the upcoming playoffs.
Ivica Zubac also had a standout performance for Los Angeles, posting a career-first triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. His effort helped fuel a decisive second-quarter run. Kawhi Leonard, who returned to the lineup after sitting out Tuesday’s game for rest, contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Harden’s performance was the highlight of the evening, as he went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, part of a flawless 19-for-19 effort from the charity stripe for the Clippers. Harden’s scoring, along with Zubac’s all-around play and Leonard’s return, ensured the Clippers remained dominant throughout the contest.
The Clippers outscored the Rockets 35-23 in the second quarter, triggered by a 12-0 run. Zubac’s six points and Leonard’s four were key during the stretch, helping Los Angeles build an insurmountable lead.
Houston, despite the loss, had six players score in double figures, with Reed Sheppard leading the way with 20 points. The Rockets were without several key contributors, including Brooks and Sengun, but they fought hard against the fully-strengthened Clippers lineup.
Los Angeles shot 53.3% from the field and was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, with Harden playing a pivotal role in their efficiency.
The Clippers are now gearing up for the final stretch of the regular season with their sights set on a high playoff seed. Meanwhile, the Rockets, already locked into the No. 2 spot, will look to get healthy before their first playoff appearance since the 2020 NBA bubble.
