James Harden’s 50-Point Game Stuns Clippers’ New Arena

James Harden’s Electrifying 50-Point Performance Lights Up Clippers’ New Arena

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a night that will be remembered by Clippers fans and basketball enthusiasts alike, James Harden delivered a stunning 50-point game on Wednesday, showcasing a vintage performance in the Clippers’ new arena. This remarkable feat marked the first time Harden reached the 50-point milestone with Los Angeles and the 24th time in his illustrious career, bringing him tantalizingly close to Kobe Bryant’s record for the third most 50-point games in NBA history.

With former President Barack Obama sitting courtside next to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, Harden’s explosive performance propelled Los Angeles to a 123-115 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Harden, who has met Obama before, shared his excitement about the former president’s presence, saying, “So it was pretty cool to see him at the game. Probably the reason why I played so well.”

Harden had already notched three 40-point games this season, but the elusive 50-point mark had remained just out of reach. This achievement harkens back to his days leading the league in scoring with the Houston Rockets from 2017 to 2020. The timing couldn’t have been better for the Clippers, who were in desperate need of a win after squandering a 23-point lead against the Phoenix Suns the previous night and playing without Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell in back-to-back games.

At 35, Harden became the second-oldest player in NBA history to score 50 points on zero days’ rest, trailing only Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, who was about four months older when he achieved the feat in February 2024. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue praised Harden’s performance, saying, “To see him come out and score 50 on a back-to-back, at the age of 35, just says a lot about him. And competing every night and playing 38 minutes again on the back-to-back. But we needed every bit of it.”

Harden wasted no time getting the Clippers back on track, scoring 23 points in the first quarter alone. He finished the game 14-of-24 from the field, making six 3-pointers and going 16-for-20 at the free throw line. This marked Harden’s fourth career 50-point game when taking 25 or fewer shots, the most by any player in the shot clock era (since 1954-55).

Despite playing 38 minutes, Harden downplayed the physical toll, stating, “I can do it. It’s not like it’s my first time.”

For context, Wilt Chamberlain holds the NBA record with 118 games of 50 or more points, followed by Michael Jordan with 31 and Bryant with 25. While Bryant dazzled Los Angeles with his scoring prowess, Harden’s performance was the most impressive yet in the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ new arena set to host next season’s NBA All-Star Game.

Harden’s achievement marked the eighth 50-point game in franchise history, the first since Lou Williams on Jan. 10, 2018, at Golden State. He joined Williams, Bob McAdoo, and World B. Free as the only players in club history with at least four 40-point games in a season.

Unfortunately, Harden missed the opportunity to capture a post-game photo with Obama, as the former president had already left the arena. “He left,” Harden said. “I guess he wanted to beat the traffic.”

• James Harden’s 50-point game was his 24th career 50-point performance.
• Harden is now just one game shy of tying Kobe Bryant for the third most 50-point games in NBA history.
• At 35, Harden is the second-oldest player to score 50 points on zero days’ rest.
• Harden’s performance was the eighth 50-point game in Clippers’ franchise history.

ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.