James Harden delivered a dominant 40-point performance, including 17 points in the third quarter, to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 127-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. The win snapped the Bucks’ five-game winning streak and showcased a decisive fourth-quarter surge by the Clippers.
Harden’s effort was supported by Norman Powell’s 33 points and Kawhi Leonard’s efficient 18 points, despite Leonard being limited to 24 minutes. The Clippers shot a perfect 28-for-28 from the free-throw line, a critical factor in securing the victory.
3rd-Quarter takeover
Milwaukee entered halftime with an 11-point lead, but Harden’s third-quarter scoring burst turned the tide. Harden poured in 15 consecutive points during a decisive stretch, helping the Clippers enter the final quarter with a narrow 94-93 advantage.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 36 points and 13 rebounds, while Damian Lillard contributed a triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, Milwaukee struggled to keep pace in the fourth quarter as the Clippers took control.
4th-Quarter run
A pivotal 14-0 Clippers run early in the fourth, ignited by Powell’s dunk and capped by a Harden three-pointer, extended Los Angeles’ lead to 112-100. The Bucks trimmed the deficit to eight with 5:07 remaining, but the Clippers responded with a 7-2 spurt to seal the game. Harden reached the 40-point mark for the third time this season, hitting a free throw with just over two minutes remaining to push the Clippers’ lead to 125-112.
Key stats
The Bucks, held under their season average of 126 points, dropped to 8-11 on the road. Despite shooting 16-for-17 from the free-throw line and Lillard’s back-to-back triple-doubles, Milwaukee couldn’t overcome their defensive struggles in the second half.
Leonard, managing a minutes restriction after his return from knee soreness, exited late in the third quarter as Harden took control of the game. Ivica Zubac also contributed for the Clippers with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Up next
The Bucks continue their four-game road trip with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Monday. The Clippers, now 3-2 in a gruelling stretch of five games in seven days, host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
The Clippers’ victory not only ended their losing streak against Milwaukee but also reaffirmed their ability to close out games against top opponents, with Harden delivering a commanding performance when it mattered most.
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