James Harden put on an offensive clinic Monday night, scoring 24 of his 41 points in the opening quarter as the Los Angeles Clippers steamrolled the Utah Jazz 144-107.
The blowout victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Clippers and set a season-high scoring total for the team.
Harden was electric from the jump, torching the Jazz defense and singlehandedly outscoring them 24-20 in the first quarter. By halftime, he had already piled up 34 points, helping the Clippers build a commanding 81-47 lead — their largest first-half scoring performance since dropping 82 points in December 2019.
Complementing Harden’s brilliance, Norman Powell delivered an impressive 29-point effort off the bench, while Ivica Zubac dominated inside with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Amir Coffey added a steady 16 points, rounding out a well-balanced Clippers attack that overwhelmed Utah from start to finish.
For the Jazz, Jordan Clarkson led the way with 20 points, followed by Lauri Markkanen with 17 and Collin Sexton with 15. However, the team’s struggles continued as they dropped their third consecutive game and fell to 3-10 on the road this season.
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From the opening tip, it was clear the Clippers came to play. Head coach Tyronn Lue’s squad shot a blistering 72.7% from beyond the arc in the first quarter, setting the tone for their offensive onslaught. The Jazz defense, which entered the game ranked near the bottom of the league in opponent scoring, simply had no answers.
The key moment of the game came as Harden capped off his first-quarter masterpiece. With the shot clock winding down, Harden drained a 29-foot 3-pointer to finish the period with 24 points, outscoring the entire Jazz team by four. That shot underscored Harden’s control of the game and effectively set the stage for the blowout.
Harden’s dominance also etched his name into Clippers history, as his 24-point quarter stands as the second-highest scoring quarter in franchise history. Only Lou Williams’ 27-point third quarter against Golden State in January 2018 stands above it.
By the second half, the outcome was all but decided. The Clippers, shooting an incredible 63.4% in the first half, never let up and finished the game at a scorching 59.8% overall. The Jazz, meanwhile, struggled to find offensive rhythm and were unable to recover from their sluggish start.
Utah’s defensive problems
For Utah, defensive woes remain a glaring issue. Allowing 119.3 points per game heading into Monday’s contest, the Jazz gave up far too many open looks and easy baskets. The Clippers exploited those weaknesses to perfection, scoring with ease both in the paint and from distance.
Despite the lopsided loss, Jordan Clarkson showed his trademark scoring ability, while Lauri Markkanen continued to provide consistent production. However, the Jazz will need to shore up their defense and find more consistency if they hope to turn their season around.
Meanwhile, for the Clippers, the win showcased their full offensive potential when clicking on all cylinders. Harden’s performance was a reminder of his elite scoring ability, while contributions from Powell, Zubac, and Coffey highlighted the depth of their roster.
Up Next, the Jazz look to bounce back when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. The Clippers, riding the momentum of their dominant victory, will hit the road to take on the Dallas Mavericks the same night.
With Harden leading the charge, the Clippers delivered their most complete performance of the season, sending a clear message that when this team is firing, they’re a force to be reckoned with.