Los Angeles Clippers taking pictures guard James Harden continues to be a scoring machine.
On Wednesday evening in opposition to the Washington Wizards, Harden scored 31 factors within the first half, going 11-of-15 from the sector. He additionally had 5 assists.
Harden was underwhelming in his first season with the membership. In 72 regular-season video games, the 10-time All-Star averaged 16.6 factors per recreation, the fourth-lowest mark of his profession.
Nonetheless, Harden’s off to a a lot better begin this season. By way of his first 19 video games, he averaged 20.5 factors per recreation, 7.3 rebounds per recreation and eight.7 assists per recreation on 37.2% taking pictures.
The 35-year-old’s resurgence helps the Clippers exceed expectations. L.A. (11-8) is seventh within the Western Convention and has received 5 of their final six video games. Earlier than the season began, CBS Sports activities’ Colin Ward-Henninger ranked them No. 19 within the NBA.
Consider Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard underwent knee surgical procedure this offseason, and his restoration timetable nonetheless appears unclear. Even when Leonard does not return quickly, the Clippers ought to preserve rolling so long as Harden has extra scoring spurts.