James Harden Breaks First Quarter Record in Clippers Win Over Wizards

James Harden put on a show for the ages, leaving Wizards fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

Harden’s Historic Night: A Scoring Frenzy

The Clippers handed the Wizards yet another L on Wednesday, extending Washington’s losing streak to a painful 13 games. James Harden was the star of the night, leading LA to a 12-8 record while the Wizards are stuck at a dismal 2-15. With Norman Powell sidelined for the fifth game in a row due to a hamstring issue, Harden stepped up big time, dropping a season-high 43 points. It was like watching vintage Harden from his Rockets days, lighting up the scoreboard with ease. His first 40-point game since 2021 had fans reminiscing about his prime.

James Harden becomes the FIRST player in NBA history to drop 40+ points for 5 different teams.

No matter the jersey, the buckets will follow.

โ€” Sai (@LeGoatedOne)

First Quarter Fireworks

Harden wasted no time getting started, racking up 23 points in the first quarter alone, setting a new franchise record and surpassing Paul George’s previous mark from 2021. It was a Harden-centric night at Capital One Arena, as he was the only Clipper to score over 20 points, leading them to a commanding 121-96 victory. I think it’s safe to say, when Harden’s in the zone, he’s practically unstoppable.

Young Guns Stepping Up

While Harden was the headline, Jordan Miller quietly made his case for more playing time. The 24-year-old, on a two-way NBA-G League contract, scored 15 points in just 20 minutes. With Powell and Kawhi Leonard out, Miller’s been crucial in keeping the Clippers afloat. In my opinion, Coach Tyronn Lue might have a good problem on his hands figuring out rotations once everyone’s healthy. But hey, that’s a problem any coach would love to have, right?

Playoff Hopes and Betting Odds

With this win, the Clippers are now even-money favorites to make a playoff push, sitting sixth in the Western Conference. Speaking of trades, did you catch that wild Curry rumor? Anyway, as the season heats up, the Clippers are looking like a team to watch. Can they keep this momentum going and make a deep playoff run? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: with Harden playing like this, anything’s possible.

James Shotwell
James Shotwell
James, a dedicated writer for BasketballHour, holds a degree in English and Creative Writing. A genuine sports enthusiast and skilled betting advice provider, he writes engaging articles and valuable winning strategies for sports.

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