James Harden becomes 20th player with 26,000 career points
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[November 01, 2024]
By DAN GREENSPAN
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The points continue to come
for James Harden, who became the 20th player in NBA history to reach
26,000 points in his career in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 125-119 loss to
the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
Harden was more worried about the points the Clippers have been giving
up, having squandered double-digit leads in both games of a
back-to-back. Los Angeles led by as many as 21 on Thursday, following a
wasted 10-point advantage in a 106-105 defeat to Portland the night
before. “It’s definitely frustrating, just ’cause we was
up double digits in both games,” Harden said. “Last night, we didn’t
(play well) and we still had a double-digit lead. Tonight, we played
well, especially in that first half and up 20-something. Like, it’s
there. We just got to find ways to not lose it and continue to play our
brand of basketball.” |
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns
forward Ryan Dunn, left, and guard Tyus Jones defend during the second
half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Inglewood,
Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) |
Harden joined the elusive group when he made
his second free throw with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.
It came in his first triple double of the season and 78th of his
career, tying Wilt Chamberlain for seventh in NBA history, as
Harden finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.
Harden also had six turnovers, including fumbling the ball away
when the score was tied at 105 with 5:20 remaining. Phoenix
ended up turning that mistake into a 3-pointer from Devin Booker
and a lead it would not relinquish.
“You’ve seen the usage rate I got, it’s going to happen,” Harden
said. “Like, turnovers is gonna happen. … But the ones that is
unforced, I gotta control those a lot better. But I don’t think
it’s necessarily turnovers that lost the game. That third
quarter, defensively, they just didn’t feel us, defensively, our
presence.”
The Clippers’ three losses this season have been by a combined
10 points. Harden views those narrow defeats as something that
could end up benefitting them later on, especially taking into
account the ongoing absence of Kawhi Leonard because of a knee
injury.
“We just got to find ways to execute and win ’em,” he said. “The
last two was tough, but we’ll get there sooner than later.”
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