Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (left) passes the ball under pressure from Phoenix Suns guard Monte Morris during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J . Terrill)
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The scoring continues for James Harden, who became the 20th player in NBA history to reach 26,000 career points in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 125-119 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
Harden was more concerned about the Clippers’ point losses, as they had blown double-digit leads in two consecutive games. Los Angeles led by as many as 21 points on Thursday after blowing a 10-point lead the night before in a 106-105 loss to Portland.
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“It’s definitely frustrating just because we were up double digits in both games,” Harden said. “Last night we didn’t (play well) and we still had a double-digit lead. We played well tonight, especially in the first half, and got the score over 20. It’s kind of there. We just have to find ways to not lose it and continue to play our style of basketball.”
Harden joined the elusive group when he made his second free throw with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter. It was his first triple double of the season and the 78th of his career, tying Wilt Chamberlain for seventh in NBA history as Harden finished the game with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.
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Harden also had six turnovers, including fumbling the ball away when the score was tied at 105 with 5:20 left. In the end, Phoenix turned that mistake into a 3-pointer from Devin Booker and secured a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
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“You saw the usage rate that I got, it’s going to happen,” Harden said. “For example, there will be sales. … But I have to control the ones that aren’t forced much better. But I don’t think it was necessarily turnovers that lost the game. They just didn’t feel our presence defensively in that third quarter.”
The Clippers’ three losses this season were by a combined 10 points. Harden sees those close losses as something that could benefit them down the road, especially given Kawhi Leonard’s continued absence due to a knee injury.
“We just have to find ways to execute and win,” he said. “The last two have been tough, but we’ll get there sooner than later.”
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