NBA: James Harden reaches 25,000 career points as the LA Clippers win; Boston Celtics triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In a notable achievement, James Harden propelled the Los Angeles Clippers to their sixth consecutive victory, reaching 25,000 career points and joining the elite 24 players in NBA history. The Clippers secured a comprehensive 121-113 win over the Golden State Warriors, with Harden notching a season-high 28 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds. Despite the absence of Paul George due to a hip injury, the Clippers dominated, supported by Kawhi Leonard’s 27 points and eight rebounds, Norman Powell’s 21 points, and Amir Coffey’s season-high 18. Golden State, missing Draymond Green due to suspension, suffered their seventh consecutive road loss, despite Klay Thompson’s 30-point effort.
In another matchup, the Boston Celtics continued their home success with a 116-107 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking their 12th consecutive home win. Jayson Tatum starred with 27 points, supported by Jaylen Brown’s 22 and Kristaps Porzingis’ 18. Although the Celtics had a double-digit lead, the Cavaliers narrowed the gap to three points in the final quarter. Tatum’s crucial three-pointer and contributions from Caris LeVert were countered by the Celtics, sealing the win with Holiday’s lay-up and Tatum’s dunk. Despite the victory, Brown expressed dissatisfaction with their performance, emphasizing the need to improve in closing out games.
In Thursday night’s other NBA matchups, the Chicago Bulls triumphed over the Miami Heat with a score of 124-116. In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the conference leaders, secured a 119-109 victory against the Dallas Mavericks, while the second-placed Denver Nuggets dominated with a 124-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
