Harden scores 43 as Clippers rout skidding Wizards 121-96
Harden scores 43 as Clippers rout skidding Wizards 121-96
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) goes to the basket for lay up against Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) goes to the basket for a lay up as Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) loses control of the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) passes the ball as Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, center, and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) as he attempts a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole has the ball stolen from him by Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden shoots a three point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) has the ball stolen away by Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) has his pass attempt defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) and center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) goes to the basket for lay up against Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) goes to the basket for lay up against Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) goes to the basket for a lay up as Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) goes to the basket for a lay up as Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) loses control of the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) loses control of the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) passes the ball as Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, center, and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) passes the ball as Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, center, and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) as he attempts a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) as he attempts a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole has the ball stolen from him by Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole has the ball stolen from him by Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden shoots a three point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden shoots a three point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) has the ball stolen away by Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) has the ball stolen away by Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) has his pass attempt defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) and center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) has his pass attempt defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) and center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
WASHINGTON (AP) — James Harden scored a season-high 43 points in 32 minutes to help the Los Angeles Clippers romp to a 121-96 victory over Washington on Wednesday night, handing the struggling Wizards their 13th consecutive defeat.
Harden hit seven 3-pointers, had 23 points in the first quarter and eclipsed his previous season high of 29 by halftime. The 10-time All-Star posted his highest point total since scoring 44 at Detroit on March 26, 2021, despite exiting the game at the end of the third.
Ivica Zubac added 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Clippers, who have won six of seven.
It was Los Angeles’ second-largest margin of victory this season, after opening a four-game trip with a 26-point win at Philadelphia two games ago.
Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valanciunas each scored 17 points for Washington, which lost leading scorer Kyle Kuzma to a left rib injury after he played just eight minutes.
Takeaways
Clippers: Despite a long injury list that’s included six-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard (knee) all season, Los Angeles hits the 20-game mark with a 12-8 record.
Wizards: Washington is three losses from matching last season’s longest skid of 16 straight defeats on the way to a franchise-worst 15-67 record.
Key moment
The Clippers were in control throughout, but erased any doubt about the outcome when Harden hit 3s on consecutive possessions to stretch the lead to 81-59 with 3:47 left in the third.
Key stat
Harden’s 23-point first quarter marked the ninth time he scored at least 23 in one period, according to StatMuse, and his first since July 31, 2020.
Up next
The Clippers visit Minnesota on Friday, while the Wizards play Saturday at Milwaukee.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba