James Harden’s Milestone Eludes Him Amidst Clippers’ Struggles
LOS ANGELES – In an exciting moment during the Clippers’ recent game against the Houston Rockets, James Harden nailed his third 3-pointer of the night, tying him with Ray Allen for second place on the NBA’s all-time list. The 26-foot shot came late in the first quarter, but Harden couldn’t capitalize further, finishing the game with 3-of-9 from beyond the arc and 7-of-14 overall, leaving him still one 3-pointer shy of surpassing Allen with 2,974 total made shots.
Harden’s focus on the record appears lighthearted, as he dismissed the ultimate milestone held by Stephen Curry — a staggering 3,779 3-pointers. “I’m gonna consider myself No. 1,” he told The Athletic earlier this season.
Despite the harboring of personal records, the Clippers struggled against a fortified Rockets defense, shooting only 37.8% from the field and a mere 25% from three-point territory. Coach Tyronn Lue noted the Rockets effectively disrupted their offensive strategies, particularly targeting guard Norman Powell, who managed just eight points.
“Their game plan worked well against us,” Lue acknowledged postgame. Meanwhile, Powell highlighted moments of offensive promise overshadowed by the defensively intense Rockets, stating they did a great job at limiting opportunities for both him and Harden.
The defeat marked the Clippers’ third consecutive loss, dampening their prior optimism after a three-game winning streak. With a record now at 6-7, the team preparing for a crucial home stretch starting with the Utah Jazz on Sunday. The contest is set for 6 p.m. at the Intuit Dome.
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