Harden 50-Point Game, 1 Shy of Kobe Bryant for 3rd All-Time, as Obama Watches

James Harden delivered another 50-point game, putting on a throwback performance in the Clippers’ new arena

James Harden put on a spectacular performance Wednesday night, dropping 50 points and leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a 123-115 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Former President Barack Obama witnessed the show courtside at the Intuit Dome, bringing extra energy and excitement to the packed arena.

The 50-point outing was Harden’s first with the Clippers and marked the 24th time in his illustrious career, placing him just one game behind Kobe Bryant for third-most in NBA history. Harden’s scoring burst provided a crucial lift for Los Angeles, who were missing key players Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell on the second night of back-to-back games.

Harden wasted no time making an impact, pouring in 23 points in the opening quarter alone. He finished shooting an efficient 14-for-24 from the floor, including six successful three-pointers, and was nearly automatic at the free-throw line, converting 16 of his 20 attempts.

“It was pretty cool to see him at the game,” Harden said of Obama’s presence. “Probably the reason why I played so well.” Harden, who previously had three 40-point performances this season, finally broke through the 50-point barrier reminiscent of his scoring dominance with the Houston Rockets from 2017 to 2020.

Despite logging 38 minutes at age 35, Harden showed little sign of fatigue. “I can do it,” he confidently stated. “It’s not like it’s my first time.”

Wilt Chamberlain remains the all-time leader with 118 games of 50 or more points, followed by Michael Jordan with 31 and Kobe Bryant with 25. Harden now stands just one stellar game away from tying Bryant, a legendary figure who frequently electrified crowds in Los Angeles.

Obama, sitting next to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left early to “beat the traffic,” meaning Harden didn’t get a post-game photo opportunity with the former president.

This outstanding performance is the eighth 50-point game in Clippers history and the first since Lou Williams accomplished the feat on January 10, 2018, against Golden State. Harden also joined Williams, Bob McAdoo, and World B. Free as the only Clippers players with at least four 40-point games in a single season.