James Harden delivered one of the most dominant scoring performances of his career on Saturday night, setting a franchise record with 55 points as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 131-116 at Spectrum Center.
Harden connected on 10 three-pointers and went 17-for-26 from the field. He erupted for 27 points in the opening quarter, draining five triples to push the Clippers to an early 14-point advantage.
Charlotte opened the game hitting seven of its first eight attempts, but Harden’s shot-making quickly erased the momentum.
His 55 points marked the 11th-highest total of his career, trailing only his 61-point personal best.
The Clippers entered the night on a three-game losing streak but improved to 5-11 behind their veteran guard’s scoring outburst.
Harden also added seven assists and three rebounds while committing just two turnovers.
Ivica Zubac provided crucial interior production with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Zubac’s size became even more impactful after Hornets rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner left early with left ankle soreness.
With Kalkbrenner out, the Clippers repeatedly attacked the paint, leading to two consecutive Zubac dunks in the third quarter.
Moments later, Harden drilled a step-back three over multiple defenders and drew a foul on Moussa Diabate for a four-point play that pushed LA’s lead back to double digits.
Charlotte cut the gap to 74-72 midway through the third before LaMelo Ball picked up his fourth foul and went to the bench.
The Hornets never regained that rhythm.
Rookie Kon Knueppel led Charlotte with 26 points while shooting 9-of-12 from the field, continuing his impressive early-season stretch. Brandon Miller returned from a 13-game absence due to a shoulder injury and contributed 21 points in 26 minutes.
Ball finished with 18 points and seven assists but struggled from deep, going 1-for-7 from beyond the arc. Miles Bridges added 19 points as Charlotte dropped to 4-12 and extended its losing streak to five.
The Hornets absorbed two more injury setbacks on top of the loss. Kalkbrenner and Pat Connaughton (right calf soreness) both exited in the first half and did not return.
Chris Paul, who posted eight assists, played what is expected to be his final NBA game in his home state after hinting at retirement earlier in the day. Paul connected with Brook Lopez for three open threes in the second half, showcasing his trademark playmaking.
The Clippers’ bench contributed 31 points, with Nicolas Batum and Jahmyl Telfort each adding key minutes. LA shot 51% overall and 44% from three, finishing with 30 assists on 46 made baskets.
Charlotte shot 48% from the field but went just 11-for-36 from long distance. The Hornets were outrebounded 41-38 and gave up 19 made threes.
Both teams return to action Sunday, with the Clippers traveling to Cleveland and the Hornets heading to Atlanta.
