James Harden Leads Clippers to Overtime Win Against Raptors with 31 Points
TORONTO — James Harden led the Los Angeles Clippers to a thrilling 121-117 overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, scoring 31 points and dishing out 10 assists. Jordan Miller also contributed significantly, adding 19 points, as the Clippers extended their winning streak to five games.
Ivica Zubac displayed a strong performance with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Cam Christie and Kris Dunn chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively. This win marks the Clippers’ 12th in 14 games following a rocky start to the season, posting a record of 6-21.
On the opposing side, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes was a standout, scoring 24 points, complemented by Brandon Ingram’s 19 points. Despite leading 109-101 with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, the Raptors faltered, missing six consecutive shots. Harden capitalized on this, orchestrating an 8-0 personal run that forced the game into overtime.
The Clippers have now achieved a road record of 7-14, winning four of their last five games away from home. In the overtime period, Harden opened with four straight free throws and later hit a crucial pull-up jumper, restoring a slight lead after Barnes closed the gap to one point with 55 seconds remaining.
Jamal Shead also made notable contributions for the Raptors, scoring 15 points and setting a career-high with 13 assists. Teammates Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick each added 15 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili contributed 13.
Zubac returned to the lineup after missing Wednesday’s victory over Washington due to a sprained left ankle. Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley was sidelined for a second consecutive game with back spasms, and RJ Barrett missed his fourth straight due to an ankle injury.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will face the Washington Wizards on Monday.
