(UPDATE) WASHINGTON — James Harden scored a Los Angeles Clippers-record 55 points in a 131-116 NBA victory at Charlotte on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) while the Detroit Pistons stretched their win streak to 12 games by beating Milwaukee, 129-116.
The Clippers improved to 5-1 while extending the Hornets’ losing streak to five games.
Harden, the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player, scored 27 points in the first half for the Clippers, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
“The work I put in individually, I do it for the entire team,” Harden said. “I’m just trying to find ways to win games.”
The 36-year-old guard, who helped the United States win Olympic gold in 2012, made 17-of-26 shots from the floor, 10-of-16 from three-point range, and hit 11-of-14 free throws in his record-setting effort while also passing off seven assists.
Bob McAdoo and Charles Smith had shared the prior franchise record with 52-point performances.
Croatian center Ivica Zubac contributed 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Clippers.
Kon Knueppel led the Hornets (4-12) with 26 points.
Clippers 40-year-old guard Chris Paul, second in all-time NBA steals and assists, hinted on social media this 21st campaign will be his final NBA season, saying, “What a ride... GRATEFUL for this last one.”
The Clippers are expected to welcome back Kawhi Leonard on Sunday when they visit Cleveland. He has missed 10 games with an sprained right ankle and foot.
At Milwaukee, the Pistons — who have not won a playoff series since 2008 — achieved their longest win streak since 2004, the last year they won the NBA title.
Cade Cunningham sparked Detroit with 29 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Pistons stayed atop the Eastern Conference at 14-2.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised the defensive work of Ausar Thompson early in the game with setting the tempo for a victory.
“We’re an elite team when we can get out in transition and when he is pressuring the ball like that, making deflections, it energizes everybody behind him,” Bickerstaff said.
The Bucks, who fell to 8-9, were without Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has a groin strain.
“Their physicality completely took us out of our offense,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “They physically wanted to send a message and they did.”
Orlando’s Franz Wagner scored 37 points, the German forward one point shy of matching his career best, and the Magic beat visiting New York 133-121 for a sixth win in seven games.