Harden scored 27 points in the first quarter to determine the outcome, and scored 55 points in an epic night to become the first in team history.

Hit 10 three-pointers and scored 55 points. This was a miracle Harden created in the game against the Hornets. This campaign set a new single-game scoring high in the history of the Los Angeles Clippers. Bearded led the team to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 131-116 to end their three-game losing streak.

On this night, Harden played 35 minutes, making 17 of 26 shots, 10 of 16 three-pointers, and 11 of 14 free throws. He efficiently contributed 55 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal, and only made 2 turnovers.

This epic performance highlights Harden's hot state this season - he has scored 30+ points 6 times in 15 games this season, but last season he did not break the 30-point mark for the first time until the 20th game. What is even more commendable is that the 55 points in this game only had 2 turnovers, setting a record of the lowest turnover among the 25 50+ games in his career. The previous lowest was 3 times. Harden was on full fire at the beginning of the quarter, scoring 27 points in a single quarter, tying his personal first-quarter scoring record and tying for fifth on the all-time first-quarter scoring list. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said frankly: "When I looked up and saw that he had scored 26 points at the end of the first quarter... I knew his hands were hot. He carried us forward on the offensive end, and we created space for him to play singles by moving the ball, and he always trusted his teammates."

Faced with the Hornets' point-chasing momentum, Harden once again showed his superstar qualities at the critical moment in the third quarter. When the Hornets narrowed the point difference to 74 to 72, he hit a step-back three-pointer against two defenders and caused a foul, completing a "four-point play" that completely turned the tide of the game. Hornets coach Charles Lee reflected on the defensive strategy after the game: "We did not do enough when executing defense against Harden. He dominated the game tonight in all aspects - whether it was pick-and-roll handling or breakthrough distribution. We should have applied more physical confrontation through cover and cover."

According to ESPN statistics, this is the 25th time in Harden's 17-year career that he has scored 50+ points, tying Kobe Bryant for third in NBA history. His 55-point performance also tied the league's highest score in a single game this season, and was the same as Jokic, Alexander and other MVP contenders. After the game, Harden said calmly: "I'm glad we won. All my efforts are for the team, and I will continue to find ways to win. It's the same tonight, and it's the same every night."

(Text/Kong Yang)