James Harden scores 23 points to lead Clippers to rout over his old 76ers team, 125-99
James Harden scores 23 points to lead Clippers to rout over his old 76ers team, 125-99
Los Angeles Clippers’ Amir Coffey, left, tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers’ KJ Martin during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kevin Porter Jr., right, tries to dunk against Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, right, and Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden chase a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr., center, cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) dunks past Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele, right, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ Kevin Porter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Mo Bamba (4) dunks the ball as Philadelphia 76ers’ Eric Gordon (23), Guerschon Yabusele (28) and Tyrese Maxey (0) look on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr., left, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. (55) cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) goes up for a dunk against Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. (55) cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Amir Coffey, left, tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers’ KJ Martin during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Amir Coffey, left, tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers’ KJ Martin during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kevin Porter Jr., right, tries to dunk against Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kevin Porter Jr., right, tries to dunk against Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, right, and Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden chase a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, right, and Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden chase a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr., center, cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr., center, cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) dunks past Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) dunks past Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele, right, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ Kevin Porter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele, right, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ Kevin Porter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Mo Bamba (4) dunks the ball as Philadelphia 76ers’ Eric Gordon (23), Guerschon Yabusele (28) and Tyrese Maxey (0) look on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Mo Bamba (4) dunks the ball as Philadelphia 76ers’ Eric Gordon (23), Guerschon Yabusele (28) and Tyrese Maxey (0) look on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr., left, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr., left, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. (55) cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. (55) cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) goes up for a dunk against Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) goes up for a dunk against Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. (55) cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. (55) cannot get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden had 23 points and eight assists, Ivica Zubac had 16 points and 12 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers coasted to a 125-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.
The 76ers fell to 3-13, an improbable record for a team that opened the season as a strong betting favorite to win the Eastern Conference. The Sixers played again without injured All-Stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, both out with knee injuries.
Harden was booed every time he touched the ball by Sixers fans who have not forgotten how he left the team in a lurch when he demanded a trade ahead of the 2023 season.
The Clippers shot around 60% from the floor for most of the game and helped empty the arena early of Sixers fans with plenty of time to catch the Eagles’ kickoff later that night.
Jared McCain scored 18 points and Tyrese Maxey had 17 for the Sixers.
Takeaways
Clippers: The Clippers won their fifth straight game and have a modest winning record (4-3) on the road.
76ers: The 76ers remain stuck at the bottom of the NBA standings and resemble a team more made for the draft lottery than a playoff run when Embiid and George are out of the lineup.
Key moment
Tipoff?
The decimated Sixers scored the opening bucket before the Clippers went ahead on Harden’s 3 that sparked them to a quick 21-9 lead. Harden relished the spotlight against his old team and hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 12 points in the first quarter.
Key stat
The Clippers led by as many as 33 points when Kevin Porter Jr.'s floater in the third made it 95-62.
Up next
The Clippers continue their four-game road trip Monday at NBA champion Boston.
The Sixers hope a couple more days of rest can get Embiid and George in the lineup Wednesday against Houston.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba