The Los Angeles Clippers delivered a commanding 140-115 win against the Washington Wizards, with James Harden igniting the game by scoring 21 of his 28 points in an explosive second quarter during Friday’s NBA action.
The Clippers’ victory was further bolstered by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who added 27 and 22 points, respectively, showcasing the team’s offensive prowess.
“James, he plays the game the right way,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said. “Takes what the defense gives him, and that’s what great players do. A slow start doesn’t deter them from being aggressive and doing what they do.”
The game also saw the Clippers lose Russell Westbrook to a fractured left hand in the first half, casting a shadow over the team’s victory. Westbrook’s departure due to the injury underscores the unpredictable nature of the sport and the team’s resilience in facing such setbacks.
“I just feel bad for Russ right now,” Lue said. “You never want to see a player get hurt. … I don’t know if he needs surgery or anything yet, but he’s out right now, so just trying to figure it out.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards Updates
On the Wizards’ side, Kyle Kuzma‘s valiant 32-point effort was not enough to prevent the team’s 14th consecutive loss. Despite this, the Wizards’ interim coach, Brian Keefe, remains optimistic about the team’s growth and potential for improvement.
“I think we are seeing growth,” Wizards interim coach Brian Keefe said. “I think we are doing things better. I think you can see that. We just need to do it for longer and be more consistent with it, but you can see it for stretches. Tonight was just not as much as we wanted.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards Updates
The Clippers, bouncing back from a recent defeat, channeled their frustration into a dominant performance against the Wizards. Harden, in particular, showcased his scoring ability, tying his career-high for points in a quarter and emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard work.
“These last few games, my 3 ball, I’ve been putting the work it, it just didn’t fall,” Harden said. “If you continue to put the work in, things got to go your way. Tonight was one of those games where I just kept shooting, and it felt good.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards Updates
As both teams look ahead, the Wizards aim to break their losing streak against the Utah Jazz, while the Clippers set their sights on extending their winning momentum against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
