James Harden went on an early scoring tear and scored a franchise-record 55 points as the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating the host Charlotte Hornets 131-116 on Saturday afternoon.
Harden made 10 of 14 shots from 3-point range and was 17 of 26 overall from the field, while going 11 of 14 on free throws.
Ivica Zubac added 18 points with nine rebounds for Los Angeles, Brook Lopez had 11 points off the bench and John Collins finished with 10 points.
Kon Knueppel scored 26 points for the Hornets, who are on a season-worst five-game losing streak. Charlotte had Brandon Miller on the court for the first time since Oct. 22 and he provided 21 points in a starting role.
Miles Bridges had 19 points for the Hornets, while LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton each ended with 18 points. Ball was in action for just the third time since Nov. 1.
The Clippers, who won for the second time in eight road games, stretched the lead to 102-82 by scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter. Los Angeles poured in at least 34 points in three different quarters.
The Hornets couldn’t overcome 11-of-36 shooting on 3-pointers (30.6%), while the Clippers were 19 of 43 (44.2%)from deep.
The 36-yar-old Harden made 12 of 17 shots from the field in the first half while ringing up 35 points, then drained a 3-pointer in the opening minute of the third quarter. His first-half total marked the most for any NBA player this season.
The Clippers led 62-55 at the break, boosted by 53.5% shooting from the field. Harden had 10 of the Clippers’ first 18 points and 27 of the team’s 38 first-quarter points.
While the Hornets had their headline players in the lineup, their depth dwindled during the first half. Center Ryan Kalkbrenner departed with a left ankle injury and Pat Connaughton was done after six minutes because of calf soreness.
