INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — On Monday night, the Los Angeles Clippers put on a show as they faced off against the Utah Jazz. James Harden was the star of the night, showcasing his scoring prowess by dropping an impressive 41 points, with 24 of those coming in a dominant first quarter performance. The Clippers cruised to a resounding 144-107 victory, hitting a season-high in scoring.
Joining Harden in the scoring column was Norman Powell, who contributed 29 points, while Ivica Zubac put up 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Amir Coffey also made his presence felt with 16 points as the Clippers put an end to a three-game losing streak and a two-game home skid.
The game quickly turned into a one-sided affair, with Harden amassing 34 points by halftime as the Clippers established a commanding 81-47 lead. This explosive offensive display marked the most points scored by the Clippers in a first half since their game against Washington in December 2019, where they put up 82 points.
Despite the efforts of Jordan Clarkson, who scored 20 points, Lauri Markkanen with 17 points, and Collin Sexton adding 15, the Jazz could not keep pace with the surging Clippers. The loss marked the third consecutive defeat for Utah, who have now dropped eight of their last nine games, further solidifying their struggles on the road with a 3-10 record.
In a night filled with standout performances, both teams had their share of takeaways. The Jazz, known for their defensive prowess, found themselves struggling as the Clippers shot a blistering 63.4% in the first half, leaving them trailing by a significant margin. The defensive lapses allowed the Clippers to shoot nearly 60% for the entirety of the game, a stark contrast to the Jazz’s usual defensive standards.
On the Clippers’ side, head coach Tyronn Lue highlighted the increased energy in practices as they eagerly await the return of star player Kawhi Leonard from injury. This energy translated to the court, evident from the team’s scorching 72.7% shooting from beyond the arc in the first quarter, setting the tone for their dominant performance.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Harden, in a display of his scoring mastery, drained a deep 3-pointer as the first quarter wound down, capping off his remarkable 24-point outburst in the period. This standout performance not only propelled the Clippers but also highlighted Harden’s ability to take over a game single-handedly.
A key statistical highlight from the game was Harden’s individual scoring feat, as he tallied the second-most points in any quarter in Clippers franchise history. This impressive display of offensive firepower placed him just behind Lou Williams’ record 27-point quarter back in January 2018 against Golden State.
