James Harden scores 50 points, Clippers defeat Pistons 123-115

In a thrilling 123-115 victory over the Detroit Pistons, James Harden scored 50 points, marking his first 50-point game with the Los Angeles Clippers and the 24th of his career. The game, attended by former President Barack Obama, saw Harden set the tone early with 23 points in the first quarter. Despite missing key players Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell, Harden's performance helped the Clippers secure a crucial win as they vie for playoff positioning in a tightly contested Western Conference. Cade Cunningham of the Pistons also shone, scoring 37 points, but his team's efforts fell short. This win was particularly important for the Clippers, who are now in a tight race for playoff seeding, with only 20 games left in the season. Harden's ability to dominate on the second night of a back-to-back showcases his enduring talent and leadership on the court.