NBA: Clippers with Harden’s 50 points beat Pistons

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots as Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — James Harden scored 50 points, his 24th career 50-point game and first with the Clippers, and Los Angeles beat the Detroit Pistons 123-115 on Wednesday night.

Harden scored 23 in the first quarter and ended up with the eighth 50-point game in franchise history, the first since Lou Williams on Jan. 10, 2018, at Golden State.

NBA: Clippers Bogdanovic added 23

Bogdan Bogdanovic added 23 points and Ivica Zubac had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who played without Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Norman Powell (hamstring) on the second night of back-to-back games.

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Cade Cunningham had 37 points and 10 assists for the Pistons, who lost for just the second time in 12 games.

Takeaways

Pistons: In the midst of their best stretch since the 2007-08 season, the Pistons shot 52% but had their two-game win streak snapped.

Clippers: Los Angeles had lost three straight and six of seven after its collapse against Phoenix on Tuesday, so Harden’s throwback performance was a timely one.

Key moment

With the Clippers trailing by two midway through the fourth quarter, Bogdanovic made consecutive 3-pointers and then drew an offensive foul before Harden got the next four points for a 10-0 run and 107-99 lead.

Key stat

Harden joined Bob McAdoo, World B. Free and Williams as the only players in franchise with at least four 40-point games in a season.

Up next

The Pistons visit Golden State on Saturday. The Clippers host New York on Friday.