![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/harden1123.jpg\")
AP\nClippers<\/p>\n
AP
\nClippers<\/p>\n
James Harden turned Saturday into his own personal fireworks show.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Harden did most of his damage early, dropping 27 in the opening quarter and hitting five threes before Charlotte could catch its breath.<\/p>\n
It was the 25th 50-point game of his career, tying Kobe Bryant<\/a> for third all-time, per ESPN Research<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ivica Zubac<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Harden steadied things again, drilling a step-back three over two defenders \u2014 and turning it into a four-point play \u2014 to push the margin back out.<\/p>\n Rookie sharpshooter Kon Knueppel<\/a> led the Hornets with 26, while Brandon Miller<\/a> added 21 in his return<\/a> from a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n Harden\u2019s 55 ties the highest scoring game in the league this season (Nikola Jokic<\/a> and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> also have 55s) and ranks as the 11th-highest outing of his career.<\/p>\n Suns<\/p>\n The Suns<\/a> found a hero in Collin Gillespie<\/a> on Friday night, rallying from eight down in the final minute to beat Minnesota \u2014 and sealing it when the third-year guard calmly drove in for a short jumper to give Phoenix the lead.<\/p>\n Coach Jordan Ott told reporters he trusted Gillespie with the ball because the guard has proven he can handle the moment.<\/p>\n Ott praised his growth, noting that Gillespie keeps solving problems on the fly as he adjusts to a larger role.<\/p>\n Injuries have opened the door, and he has taken advantage, averaging 11.0 points and hitting double figures in four straight.<\/p>\n His night didn\u2019t end with the game-winner, either. Gillespie also helped smother Anthony Edwards<\/a> on the Wolves\u2019 final possession.<\/p>\n \u201cCG, he\u2019s a hooper,\u201d Dillon Brooks<\/a> said, via Doug Haller of The Athletic<\/a>. \u201cAnd he battles every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Wizards<\/p>\n At 26, Marvin Bagley III<\/a> suddenly finds himself one of the elder voices in Washington\u2019s young locker room.<\/p>\n Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network<\/a> wrote that Bagley recently addressed teammates about his own winding path \u2014 entering the league at 18, struggling without guidance, and learning hard lessons on the fly.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t really have the older vets to guide me,\u201d Bagley said. \u201cIt felt like I had to figure things out by myself. That\u2019s a hard spot to be in, especially in this league.\u201d<\/p>\n He urged his teammates not to grow comfortable with losing, hoping to steady a Wizards group still searching for direction.<\/p>\n Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?<\/p>\n Be sure to follow Hoops Wire<\/a> on TWITTER<\/a>\u00a0and FACEBOOK<\/a>\u00a0for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!<\/p>\n