Translator's Note: This article was originally published in the Fansided Clippers section. The author is Iliyan Lakhani. The data in the article are as of the time of publication of the original article (November 25, local time). The opinions in the article have nothing to do with the translator and the platform.
Looking at the entire league, Harden's performance cannot be ignored. The "Big Beard" is reappearing the dominance he had during his peak period with the Rockets, making fans seem to see the omnipotent super scorer. An incredible fact is: when Harden is on the court, the Clippers' offensive score per 100 possessions is nearly 20 points higher. Such an improvement is extremely rare in the league and fully demonstrates Harden's core value to the team's offensive system.
At the same time, Harden's scoring data per 100 possessions is in the top percentile in the league, and he is one of the most efficient scorers in the league. Although the Clippers have suffered 12 losses so far, and their overall performance this season has been a disaster, with no hope in sight, Harden's personal performance so far in the 2025-26 season has become the only source of comfort and smiles for Clippers fans.
Having said that, the Clippers are undoubtedly wasting the peak performance of Harden's 17th career season. Although he has proved that he is still a superstar in the league with one wonderful game after another, and has used his strength to break the outside world's doubts about his "incorruptibility", but honors are usually linked to victory, rather than just relying on individual performances of 30, 40 or even 50 points. No matter how gorgeous Harden's personal data is, it can't cover up the embarrassing reality of the team's poor record.
James Harden's third season in Los Angeles will be remembered for losses rather than individual excellence
Throughout the month of November, James Harden accomplished something that only he can do, a reflection of his status as a true generational talent. The 36-year-old has been questioned for being thought to be restricted by time, but the former MVP has proven with practical actions that he has no intention of slowing down.
Before the game against the Atlanta Hawks, Harden had only scored more than 30 points once this season, which was against the Phoenix Suns. But when he faced the Hawks without Trae Young at home, he scored 35 points in a triple-double and then continued to dominate the Clippers' next opponents.
In fact, in the Clippers' last 6 games, Harden scored 30 points or more in 4 of them. His two best games were against the Dallas Mavericks, where he scored a 41-point triple-double; and in Charlotte on the East Coast, where he scored 55 points, setting another highlight of his career.
Harden proved what Clippers fans have always said: When the team needs him, he still has enough ability to carry the entire team on the offensive end.
Harden's 55 points is not only his recent personal peak, but also the highest scoring record in a single game in the history of the Clippers. Although the opposing Hornets team is not top-notch in strength, it has a strong desire to win and shows a tenacious fighting spirit. Coupled with Leonard's absence, under such circumstances, Harden knows that he must go all out and be at his best to help the team win.
In the end, he delivered a wonderful performance that was recorded in team history. Such dominance surprised many outsiders. They originally did not believe that Harden could still play such a high-level game. Since joining the Clippers, we have indeed seen Harden usher in a resurgence in the latter part of his career, but doubters almost all believe that he will never be able to score more than 50 points in a single game.
Harden's offensive methods are at their peak: whether it is a pull-up jump shot anytime and anywhere, a strong breakthrough to the basket, or a perfect execution of pick-and-roll tactics, he can get almost anything he wants on the offensive end, and no defensive player can effectively restrict him. He doesn't look like a star past his prime at all. Instead, he seems to have returned to his unsolvable self in 2018.
James Harden proved that he can still burst out with huge energy when needed
After the game, when asked about this highlight performance, Harden made it clear that he just did what the team needed to win. "We need a win, and at this moment, the most important thing is to win," Harden said. "Making the right decisions, that's how I play every game. Some nights I can do very, very well, some nights maybe not so good, but I try to do it every night. It's best, it's that simple."
These words come from a veteran who has scored 40+ and 50+ points countless times in his career. Now that he has entered a new stage of his career, he values the team's victory and overall honor more than simple gorgeous statistics. Even so, he understands that as a professional player, he has the responsibility to set a good example for the younger generation.
"In the 17th season of my career, I still want to prove to the young players who pass by me, hey, I can still do this," he said. "I still maintain a professional attitude. Every time I step on the court, I work hard to hit the 50-point goal." In this game, we saw Harden's muscle memory return to the ultimate scoring mentality of the year. In fact, this ability has always been in his body, it just needs the right time and environment to release this competitive potential again.
source:vn 7msport