James Harden Ignites with 41 Points to Halt Clippers' Three-Game Slide

Dec 17, 20242 min read

Updated: Dec 22, 2024

James Harden of the LA Clippers is defended by Keyonte George of the Utah Jazz during their game at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.

Wearing his Volume 9 signature shoe from Adidas for the first time, James Harden spearheaded the Clippers with an impressive 41 points in a blowout victory against the Utah Jazz 144-107.

After suffering three consecutive losses, the Clippers bolstered their defense against the Jazz from the start and adopted an aggressive offensive strategy. James Harden contributed 24 of his 41 points in the first quarter, surpassing the Jazz's total of 20 points in that period.

James Harden is pictured warming up before his 41-point performance against the Utah Jazz at the Intuit Dome on December 16, 2024. Photo by Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.

Following a strong first quarter, the Clippers maintained their momentum, outperforming the Jazz in every category. By halftime, they led by 34 points, 81-47.

James Harden defends Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz. Photo by Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.

In just 20 minutes of play, Clippers center Ivica Zubac achieved a double-double. He ended the game with 19 points and 12 rebounds. The ever-reliable Norman Powell also made a substantial impact on the dominant win by chipping in 29 points.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz's efforts with 20 points from the bench, complemented by Lauri Markkanen's 17. After this loss, the Jazz's record stands at 5 wins-20 losses, ranking them as the second-lowest team in the Western Conference.

James Harden of the LA Clippers defends Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz as he attempts a three-point shot. Photo by Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.

For the 35-year-old Harden, it is one of those nights where he can hardly miss. The seasoned veteran made seven three-pointers out of 11 attempts and hit 11 of his 17 field goals. This marks the 103rd occasion in James Harden's illustrious career where he has scored 40 points or more. In this category, he ranks 4th most in NBA history.