James Harden Moves Past Shaq on Scoring List in Clippers’ Win Over Hornets
In a thrilling matchup on Monday night, the Los Angeles Clippers emerged victorious over the Charlotte Hornets, winning 117-109. Kawhi Leonard led the charge with 35 points, while James Harden contributed significantly with 32 points, propelling him into ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Jordan Miller added 14 points for the Clippers, while Ivica Zubac recorded a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. The win marked the Clippers’ fourth victory in five games, showcasing their growing momentum this season.
On the opposing side, LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 25 points and nine rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to secure a win. Kon Knueppel scored 18 points, and both Moussa Diabaté and Brandon Miller added 13 points each. Miles Bridges contributed with 11 points as the Hornets suffered their third loss in four games.
Harden’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he began the game 14 points shy of surpassing Shaquille O’Neal’s career total of 28,596 points. He netted 13 points in the first half and surpassed O’Neal early in the third quarter with a three-pointer.
A pivotal moment came when Tre Mann’s three-pointer put the Hornets ahead 100-99 with just over seven minutes remaining. However, Harden led a decisive 15-1 run, scoring eight points during the stretch that put the Clippers ahead by 13 points with just over four minutes to play. The Hornets attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 114-107 with 1:22 left, but could not close the distance further.
In a standout third quarter, Leonard scored 20 points, including five three-pointers. His efforts, bolstered by Harden’s two free throws and a layup, helped the Clippers establish a 73-64 lead. Despite Ball’s seven consecutive points that narrowed the lead, Leonard’s late layup allowed the Clippers to maintain an 86-84 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Harden’s play was noteworthy from the start; he scored 11 points in the first quarter while playing the full 12 minutes. Although he faced shooting struggles in the second half, managing only two points on one-of-seven shooting, the Clippers held a slim 45-43 lead at halftime, with Leonard contributing 10 points during the first half.
