INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In an impressive display, James Harden tallied 41 points, with 24 of those coming in the opening quarter, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a decisive 144-107 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night. This win marked a season-high scoring total for the Clippers, who were eager to break a three-game losing streak and end a two-game skid at home.
Norman Powell was also pivotal in the game, contributing 29 points, while Ivica Zubac added a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Amir Coffey chipped in with 16 points as the Clippers established dominance early on, building an impressive 81-47 lead by halftime. This first-half performance was the highest scoring half for the team since they notched 82 points against Washington back in December 2019.
For the Jazz, Jordan Clarkson led the team with 20 points, followed by Lauri Markkanen with 17 and Collin Sexton with 15. This loss marks Utah’s third consecutive defeat and their eighth loss in the last nine games, leaving them with a dismal road record of 3-10.
From the game breakdown, the Jazz have struggled defensively, ranking low in the league by allowing an average of 119.3 points per game. This game was no exception, as they permitted the Clippers to shoot an impressive 63.4% during the first half, ultimately finishing the game allowing 59.8% shooting.
On the Clippers’ side, head coach Tyronn Lue noted a noticeable increase in energy during practices, particularly with Kawhi Leonard potentially nearing his season debut, which translated into an explosive first quarter where the team shot 72.7% from behind the arc.
A significant turning point in the game came when Harden drained a deep 29-foot three-pointer just before the end of the first quarter, contributing to his stellar scoring period where he outperformed the entire Jazz team, who managed only 20 points.
In terms of records, Harden’s first-quarter output stands as the second-highest points scored in any quarter in Clippers franchise history, coming in just behind Lou Williams’ record of 27 points in a third-quarter effort against Golden State in January 2018.
Looking ahead, the Jazz are set to visit Detroit on Thursday, while the Clippers will make their way to Dallas for their next matchup.