Image Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

Hornets vs Clippers: James Harden Scores Franchise Record 55 Points as Clippers Outclass Hornets

It was a game to remember for James Harden and Co.

Image Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

James Harden went all guns blazing and scored a franchise high 55 points as the LA Clippers edged the Charlotte Hornets 131-116. With this, the Clippers put an end to their three-game losing skid and recorded their fifth win of the season to improve the 2025-26 NBA season tally to 5-11. Apart from it, Harden contributed three rebounds and seven assists while shooting 17-of-26 from the field and 10-of-16 from the three-point range.

Not only this, but with his performance on Saturday afternoon, the 11-time All-Star also tied Kobe Bryant for the third most 50-point games in the history of the league. Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan has the second-most 50-point games at 31 while Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for most such games at 118.

JAMES HARDEN SETS THE CLIPPERS SINGLE-GAME SCORING RECORD IN WIN VS. HORNETS 🤯

55 points (35 in 1H)
10 triples (ties career high)

He is the only player that currently holds the single-game scoring record for multiple franchises ‼️ pic.twitter.com/DwBd1DXn6n
— NBA (@NBA) November 22, 2025

Coming back to the game, apart from Harden, Ivica Zubac dropped 18 points for the Lakers while Kobe Sanders and Brook Lopez came up with 11 points each for the winners. On the other hand, Kon Knueppel led with 26 points while Brandon Miller had 21 points for the Hornets, who dropped to their 12th loss of the season.

James Harden Reacts to his 55-Point Game

Following the win over the Charlotte Hornets, James Harden opened up on his franchise-high 55-point performance. “Needed a win,” the 2018 MVP said. “At this point, it’s about winning. So, I had to do what I had to do.”

Harden had his most first-quarter points ever with 27 and the highest scoring half in the entire league this season with 35 points to give the Clippers a 62-57 lead before the break. He is now the first player in the history of the league to hold the scoring record for two different franchises, including the Houston Rockets (61 points) and the LA Clippers.

Notably, with his 55 points, he surpassed the Clippers’ previous scoring record of 52 points, set by Bob McAdoo in 1974, tied by him in 1976 and matched by Clippers’ Charles Smith in 1990. Talking about their next game, the Clippers will be up against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, November 23 before clashing against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies in two back-to-back NBA Cup games.

James Harden

LA Clippers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.