AP
Clippers
James Harden turned Saturday into his own personal fireworks show.
The veteran guard buried 10 threes and poured in 55 points, a new Clippers record, as L.A. handled the Hornets 131-116 and snapped a three-game skid.
Harden did most of his damage early, dropping 27 in the opening quarter and hitting five threes before Charlotte could catch its breath.
It was the 25th 50-point game of his career, tying Kobe Bryant for third all-time, per ESPN Research.
Ivica Zubac added 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists as the Clippers regained control after Charlotte briefly cut the lead to two in the third quarter.
Harden steadied things again, drilling a step-back three over two defenders — and turning it into a four-point play — to push the margin back out.
Rookie sharpshooter Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with 26, while Brandon Miller added 21 in his return from a shoulder injury.
Harden’s 55 ties the highest scoring game in the league this season (Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also have 55s) and ranks as the 11th-highest outing of his career.
Suns
The Suns found a hero in Collin Gillespie on Friday night, rallying from eight down in the final minute to beat Minnesota — and sealing it when the third-year guard calmly drove in for a short jumper to give Phoenix the lead.
Coach Jordan Ott told reporters he trusted Gillespie with the ball because the guard has proven he can handle the moment.
Ott praised his growth, noting that Gillespie keeps solving problems on the fly as he adjusts to a larger role.
Injuries have opened the door, and he has taken advantage, averaging 11.0 points and hitting double figures in four straight.
His night didn’t end with the game-winner, either. Gillespie also helped smother Anthony Edwards on the Wolves’ final possession.
“CG, he’s a hooper,” Dillon Brooks said, via Doug Haller of The Athletic. “And he battles every day.”
Wizards
At 26, Marvin Bagley III suddenly finds himself one of the elder voices in Washington’s young locker room.
Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network wrote that Bagley recently addressed teammates about his own winding path — entering the league at 18, struggling without guidance, and learning hard lessons on the fly.
“I didn’t really have the older vets to guide me,” Bagley said. “It felt like I had to figure things out by myself. That’s a hard spot to be in, especially in this league.”
He urged his teammates not to grow comfortable with losing, hoping to steady a Wizards group still searching for direction.
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