Veteran James Harden delivered a historic performance by scoring 55 points as he led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 131-116 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, while the Detroit Pistons extended their winning streak to 12 games with a 129-116 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday in NBA action.
At 36 years old, Harden broke the Clippers' single-game scoring record, previously held by Bob McAdoo and Charles Smith, who each scored 52 points. Harden also holds the same record for the Houston Rockets, where he scored 61 points in 2019.
Harden, now in his 17th NBA season and ranked 11th all-time in scoring, has scored 50 or more points in a game 25 times in his career, tying the late Kobe Bryant, but still behind legends Michael Jordan (31) and Wilt Chamberlain (118).
Harden was impressive from the start, scoring 35 points by halftime—a season-high. He finished with 55 points on 17-of-26 shooting, including 10-of-16 from three-point range at 62.5 percent efficiency. He also added 3 rebounds and 7 assists.
Harden, who averages over 28 points per game this season, is trying to rescue the Clippers, who got off to the worst possible start with 5 wins and 11 losses.
In Milwaukee, the Pistons continued their winning run, extending it to 12 straight victories, dominating the Eastern Conference with 14 wins and only two losses.
Playmaker Cade Cunningham stood out again for the Pistons with 29 points, along with 8 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Pistons, who have not won a playoff series since 2008, are currently enjoying their best winning streak since their last championship season in 2004.
Doc Rivers, coach of the Bucks—who were again without their star Giannis Antetokounmpo—said, "Their reliance on physical play completely disrupted our offensive plans."
