With Kawhi Leonard out with an injury and the team skidding, James Harden stepped up and showed why the Los Angeles Clippers are his team. On Saturday night, Harden set a new franchise record for most points in a game, exploding for 55 to lead the Clippers over the Hornets and snap their three-game losing streak. The mark also surpassed Bob McAdoo and Charles Smith‘s 52 points, the latter mark set in 1990.
The Clippers are James Harden’s Team
It should’ve been apparent from the start of the season that Harden has overtaken Leonard as the Clippers’ main star. After all, Leonard has only played six games this season, while Harden has battled through fatigue, missing only one game so far, to keep the Clippers’ season afloat.
Against the Hornets, Harden shot an efficient 65.4% from the field, including 10 three-pointers. The performance emphasized Harden’s stellar performances this season and showed why he can still lead a team like he did in Houston.
“Basketball is life” – James Harden after dropping 55 pic.twitter.com/2rsLs9fMgW
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 22, 2025
Harden also recorded his personal and the team’s record for most points in a first quarter with 27. He then ended the first half with the most points scored in a half this season. Harden continuously attacked Charlotte’s defense with scintillating pace, and showed how threatening the Clippers could be if Leonard is available every game or at least has a viable third option on offense.
Aside from setting a new franchise record, he also tied Kobe Bryant for the third most 50-point games in NBA history with 25. To the rest of the league, it demonstrated that the 36-year-old is still an elite player. But for Clippers fans, it was a coronation for the player who has been carrying their team all season long.
The heart and soul of the Clippers
Harden is averaging his best season so far as a scorer since leaving the Houston Rockets. He’s putting up 28.4 points per game while shooting a career-high 40.8% from beyond the arc.
His second-highest scoring game this season came in a double-overtime win against the Dallas Mavericks two weeks ago, where Harden scored 41 points, including 10 of the team’s 19 points in both overtime periods, alongside 14 rebounds and 11 assists.
Harden’s playmaking is also in full effect so far this season after averaging 8.6 assists per game despite the rest of the team having a subpar year. He has been the team’s heart and soul, and it shows even in their losses this season.
Against the Boston Celtics last week, Harden singlehandedly put the Clippers in a position to tie the game after sinking a three with 2 seconds remaining on the clock. After the Celtics extended their lead to 121-118, he tried to tie the game with another three-pointer but missed. The same story played out in their next game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden carried the team the whole game, but missed two potential game-winning threes – one of which was a controversial no-call after a foul on the attempt by Quentin Grimes.
The Last Word on the Clippers, Harden
For most star players, when they are playing as well as Harden is playing this season, their team would be in solid contention for a playoff spot. But that isn’t the case for the Clippers, who sit in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 5-11 record.
Harden’s vintage performances this season have unfortunately not been enough to carry the team to wins. But with his performance on Saturday and Leonard expected to return against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, there is hope for the Clippers to turn their otherwise disappointing season so far.
© Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
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