James Harden made NBA history on Sunday night, moving into second place on the league’s all-time 3-point list while helping the Los Angeles Clippers snap a three-game losing streak with a 116-105 win over the Utah Jazz.
Harden’s performance — 20 points and 11 assists — came with the added achievement of surpassing Ray Allen for second place in career 3-pointers made. The milestone moment came with 6:08 left in the first quarter when Harden hit his 2,874th career three-pointer, a mark that now places him just behind Stephen Curry, who currently holds the record with 3,782 career 3-pointers.
Despite being 2 of 8 from beyond the arc, Harden’s achievement was the highlight of a dominant first half that saw the Clippers build a commanding 66-45 lead by halftime. Los Angeles played with an urgency that had been missing in recent losses, and their defensive effort was just as strong as their offense. With the Jazz struggling to find consistency, the Clippers took full advantage, building a lead as large as 23 points during the first half.
Ivica Zubac was another key contributor for the Clippers, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Zubac’s performance in the paint helped Los Angeles control the game, particularly when Utah attempted a late comeback in the final minutes. Norman Powell added 18 points off the bench, providing a much-needed scoring spark for the Clippers as they secured their fourth consecutive win at the newly opened Intuit Dome.
For Utah, the loss marked their second straight on their current road trip, as they fell to 2-5 away from home this season. Jordan Clarkson led the way with 21 points, while Lauri Markkanen posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double. Despite a valiant effort from their key players, the Jazz simply couldn’t overcome a sluggish first half and fell short when they pulled within seven points in the final minutes.
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The Clippers’ defense was key to their victory, especially during Utah’s attempted late rally. Los Angeles weathered the storm when the Jazz closed the gap to just seven points with 3:18 remaining, but Harden and Zubac steadied the ship for the Clippers. Harden’s leadership on both ends of the floor kept the game under control, and the Clippers were able to close it out down the stretch.
In addition to Harden’s milestone, Mo Bamba made his Clippers debut after dealing with left knee soreness earlier in the season. Bamba contributed with nine points and eight rebounds in just 15 minutes of action, providing solid depth for Los Angeles in a game where they had a significant size advantage in the frontcourt.
The key moment in the game came early in the first quarter when Harden’s 3-pointer moved him past Allen, sparking a 10-3 run that gave the Clippers a 22-13 lead. That run helped set the tone for the rest of the game, and Los Angeles was never truly threatened after that. Despite some strong individual performances from Utah, the Jazz were unable to put together a sustained offensive push after the Clippers’ early dominance.
Key stats from the game highlighted the significant shooting disparity between the teams. The Clippers shot 45.6% from the field, while Utah struggled at just 41.1%. The Jazz also failed to capitalize on their three-point shooting, finishing 12 of 33 from beyond the arc, while the Clippers were more efficient with their shooting from both inside and outside.
In terms of milestones, Harden’s achievement was remarkable not only for his scoring ability but also for his consistency. It took Harden 1,086 games and 8,189 attempts to reach 2,874 made 3-pointers, compared to Ray Allen’s 1,300 games and 7,429 attempts to set his previous mark. Harden’s quick rise up the 3-point leaderboard underscores his prolific shooting and longevity in the league.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will look to continue their winning ways when they host Golden State on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Jazz will travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Tuesday night, hoping to turn around their road trip after a tough loss in this one.
Takeaways:
- Clippers’ Depth: Harden was the star, but Zubac, Powell, and Bamba all played important roles in securing the win.
- Jazz’s Struggles: Despite individual performances from Clarkson and Markkanen, Utah couldn’t keep up with Los Angeles’ fast start.
- Harden’s Milestone: Harden’s move into second place on the all-time 3-point list is a testament to his consistency and shooting prowess.
Key Stats:
- James Harden: 20 points, 11 assists
- Ivica Zubac: 22 points, 11 rebounds
- Norman Powell: 18 points
- Jordan Clarkson (Jazz): 21 points
- Lauri Markkanen (Jazz): 18 points, 10 rebounds
The Clippers will look to build on this momentum, while the Jazz will need to regroup before their next matchup against the Lakers.
