Clippers Edge Hornets as Harden Makes History in Inglewood 117-109
It was a night where the past met the present inside the Intuit Dome. On a Monday evening that saw the LA Clippers fighting to claw their way back into the Western Conference play-in picture, the headlines were split between a gritty team victory and a monumental individual achievement. Behind a combined 67 points from their superstar duo, the Clippers secured a crucial 117-109 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, extending their winning streak to three games.
While the win keeps the team’s postseason pulse beating, the night belonged to James Harden. With a signature step-back and a drive to the lane, “The Beard” didn’t just pad the stat sheet; he vaulted over a legend.
Harden Climbs the Mountain
Coming into the game, the buzz was palpable. Everyone knew James Harden was knocking on the door of the top 10 scorers in NBA history, but few expected him to leapfrog a giant so quickly. During a masterful performance where he dropped 32 points and dished out 10 assists, Harden officially passed Shaquille O’Neal to take sole possession of the 9th spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
It wasn’t just volume scoring; it was efficient, calculated basketball. Harden orchestrated the offense with the kind of veteran savvy that LA banked on when they brought him in. He finished the night shooting 11-of-28 from the field, but his impact went beyond shooting. His 10 assists proved he is still one of the elite floor generals in the league, creating easy looks for teammates whenever the Charlotte defense collapsed on him.
Kawhi Leonard: The Quiet Storm
While Harden chased history, Kawhi Leonard did what he does best: dominate the game in silence. Leonard was the high-point man for the night, pouring in 35 points on a ruthlessly efficient 11-of-19 shooting.
When the Clippers’ offense stagnated in the second and third quarters, it was Leonard who provided the bailout options. Whether it was operating from the midrange or getting to the line—where he knocked down 8-of-9 free throws—Leonard provided the stability the team desperately needed against a young, energetic Hornets squad. His chemistry with Harden was on full display, particularly in the pick-and-roll actions that left Charlotte’s defenders scrambling to choose the lesser of two evils.
The Fourth Quarter Surge
Despite the star power, the game was far from a blowout for the first 40 minutes. The Hornets, led by LaMelo Ball’s 25 points, refused to go away. Charlotte entered the fourth quarter keeping pace, trading buckets and capitalizing on LA’s turnovers. With under six minutes to play, the tension in Inglewood was thick; this was exactly the kind of game the Clippers of old might have let slip away.
But championship habits are built in the closing minutes. The Clippers flipped a defensive switch late in the fourth, executing a devastating 13-1 run that effectively put the game on ice.
The defining sequence came with the Clippers holding a fragile lead. Harden, reading the passing lane like a safety, picked off a pass intended for Miles Bridges. He raced down the court, but rather than forcing a shot, the ball eventually found Kobe Sanders for a dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. That defensive intensity fueled the offense, turning a nail-biter into a comfortable cushion in the blink of an eye.
Hornets Show Promise Despite Loss
Credit must be given to the visitors. The Charlotte Hornets, sitting at 14-26, played with a pace and desperation that tested LA’s transition defense all night. LaMelo Ball was electric, finishing with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. His ability to push the tempo kept Charlotte within striking distance until that fateful final run.
Moussa Diabate also proved to be a handful in the paint, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking four shots, making life difficult for Ivica Zubac and the Clippers’ interior scorers. However, Charlotte’s youth showed in crunch time. Turnovers and stagnant possessions in the final four minutes ultimately doomed their chances of pulling off the upset.
Looking Ahead for the Clippers
This win pushes the Clippers to 16-23 on the season. While that record isn’t turning heads across the league just yet, the context matters. They are now just one game back of the play-in tournament, sitting right on the heels of the competition.
Winning three straight games suggests that Tyronn Lue is finally finding the right rotations, and the stars are finding their rhythm. The defense, often a point of contention this season, showed up when it mattered most. With the Washington Wizards coming to town on Wednesday, LA has a golden opportunity to get closer to .500 and continue this mid-season resurgence.
For now, the team can celebrate a hard-fought win and raise a glass to James Harden, who continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest to ever touch a basketball.
