INGLEWOOD, Calif. – James Harden has been unreal all season long for the LA Clippers, and it was more of the same in their 144-107 win over the Utah Jazz. Harden scored 24 points in the first quarter on 5-7 shooting from three while also drawing fouls on two more three-point attempts.
Harden outscored the Jazz by himself in the opening quarter by four points. The game was never close, and the former NBA MVP and three-time scoring champion was able to sit for the entire fourth quarter.
name this duo https://t.co/9gGTYEcEdh pic.twitter.com/yALNSk9xvM
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 17, 2024
“James offensively was dynamic tonight. 41 points on 17 shots, you don’t see that a lot. He was making his shots, getting to the free throw line, and we need every bit of it,” said Ty Lue.
Despite not seeing the floor for the game’s last twelve minutes, Harden still scored over 40 points for the second time this season.
The offense runs through Harden, and at 35 years old, he is still one of the most effective offensive weapons in the league. He is the system, and right now, the system is a well-oiled machine.
“(James) is a worker. When you are playing 35 or 36 minutes a night, as you get older, you have to be able to tailor it back a little bit. Don’t overwork yourself because it is a lot of games and a lot of minutes, but he knows his body and he works hard every single day. I am just trying to get him to pick his spots where he can cut back and do less,” said Lue. “We just have to make sure he is healthy all the way through, and he has been doing a good job with that.”
we got you ?
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 17, 2024
all of Harden's 1st quarter pts. don't wanna miss it? https://t.co/CIwhibCppx pic.twitter.com/kN5Foh26jh
LA continues to impress in their first season in the Intuit Dome even without Kawhi Leonard (who should return within the next few weeks). The win brings their record to 15-12, which puts them right in the middle of the Western Conference playoff race.
This franchise would be in a much different position had they not traded for James Harden just over a year ago.
Lead Photo Caption: INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 3 : LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) shoots from the free throw line during the Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Clippers on December 03, 2024, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)

Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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