Harden scores 50 points, just one behind Kobe for 3rd all-time

Photo : AP

James Harden had an amazing game on Wednesday night, scoring 50 points to help the Clippers beat the Detroit Pistons. This was his first 50-point game with the Clippers and the 24th of his career. He is now just one game away from tying Kobe Bryant for the third-most 50-point games in NBA history.

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The game was extra special because former President Barack Obama was watching from courtside, sitting next to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. Harden said he had met Obama before and was happy to see him at the game. He jokingly said it might have been the reason he played so well.

Harden’s big night came after the Clippers had a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns the night before, where they blew a 23-point lead. They were also missing two key players, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell. But Harden stepped up. He scored 23 points in the first quarter and finished the game making 14 out of 24 shots, including six three-pointers. He also made 16 out of 20 free throws. Even after playing for 38 minutes, Harden said he didn’t feel too tired.

Harden is now one of the top scorers in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain has the most 50-point games with 118, Michael Jordan has 31, and Kobe Bryant has 25. Harden is just one game behind Bryant.

The game took place at the new Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ new arena, which will host next year’s NBA All-Star Game. This 50-point game was also the eighth in the Clippers’ history and the first since Lou Williams scored 50 in 2018. Harden now joins Williams, Bob McAdoo, and World B. Free as the only players in Clippers history with at least four 40-point games in a season.