James Harden delivered a masterclass against his former team, tallying 23 points and eight assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a commanding 125-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.
Harden’s steady hand and Ivica Zubac’s double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds propelled the Clippers to their fifth straight win, continuing their strong form on the road.
For the 76ers, the loss marks another disappointing chapter in what has become a dismal season. Falling to 3-13, the Sixers are unrecognizable from the team once pegged as a strong favorite to contend for the Eastern Conference crown. Playing without All-Stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, both sidelined with knee injuries, Philadelphia struggled to find answers on either end of the floor.
The Philly crowd was unrelenting in its reception of Harden, booing him every time he touched the ball. The animosity stems from Harden’s departure from the Sixers under contentious circumstances before the 2023 season. But if the boos bothered him, Harden didn’t show it, thriving under the spotlight and silencing the crowd with a standout performance.
From the jump, the Clippers established control. Philadelphia struck first with an opening bucket, but Harden’s early three-pointer ignited a 21-9 run that put the Clippers firmly in the driver’s seat. Harden scored 12 points in the first quarter, including two three-pointers, and his playmaking kept the Sixers’ defense scrambling.
As the Clippers shot a blistering 60% from the floor for much of the game, the Sixers’ hopes of mounting a comeback quickly faded. Jared McCain led Philadelphia with 18 points, while Tyrese Maxey added 17, but their contributions weren’t enough to prevent the rout. By the third quarter, the Clippers’ lead ballooned to 33 points after Kevin Porter Jr. hit a floater, making it 95-62.
Advertisement
We’re on Social Media
Follow us on X
See more football highlights
The absence of Embiid and George exposed Philadelphia’s lack of depth and consistency. Without their stars, the Sixers have resembled a team more suited for the draft lottery than postseason contention. On the other hand, the Clippers showcased their balance, with multiple players contributing on both ends of the floor.
Zubac was particularly impactful, anchoring the defense and cleaning the boards with his 12 rebounds. The Clippers also benefited from a cohesive offensive rhythm, as they moved the ball effectively and capitalized on Philadelphia’s defensive lapses.
The game’s pace slowed in the fourth quarter as the Clippers’ bench took over, but the damage had already been done. With the arena emptying early—perhaps in anticipation of the Eagles’ kickoff later that night—Philadelphia fans left with more questions than answers about their team’s trajectory.
The win gives the Clippers a modest 4-3 record on the road, further solidifying their position as a team on the rise. Meanwhile, the Sixers remain stuck at the bottom of the NBA standings, and their struggles without Embiid and George raise concerns about their ability to salvage the season.
Philadelphia will look to regroup with a couple of days off before hosting Houston on Wednesday, hoping that rest will allow Embiid and George to return to the lineup. The Clippers, meanwhile, continue their four-game road trip with a high-profile showdown against defending NBA champions Boston on Monday night.
Sunday’s game highlighted the stark contrast between the two teams: a Clippers squad hitting its stride versus a Sixers team desperately searching for answers. Harden’s return to Philadelphia served as a reminder of his ability to rise to the occasion, even in the face of a hostile crowd. For the Clippers, the win reinforces their growing confidence; for the Sixers, it only deepens the frustration of a season slipping away.