Clippers’ James Harden makes NBA history with 35/5/5 in back-to-back games

The Los Angeles Clippers are 4-9 and ranked 11th in the Western Conference. The team’s record in the past 10 games is 2 wins and 8 losses. That includes a 121-118 road loss to Boston on Sunday.

The Clippers have lost some of their top talent through the 2025-26 season due to injuries. However, James Harden has appeared in 12 of the Clippers’ 13 games. Against Boston, the former NBA MVP did his best to lead the team forward. Harden’s 37 points, seven rebounds and eight assists weren’t enough to give Boston a win. The 36-year-old made NBA history with this performance. He is the fourth player aged 36 or older to post 35/5/5 in two consecutive games.

James Harden leads Clippers to start 2025-26 season

James Harden’s last two games:

41 points | 14 Reb | 11 Aspartate aminotransferase
37 points | 7 Reb | 8 Aspartate aminotransferase

He is the fourth player aged 36 or older to post consecutive 35/5/5 games, joining LeBron (5 times), Durant (2 times) and Curry. pic.twitter.com/cIe6bpAQY3

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) November 17, 2025

Injuries and a veteran roster determine the Clippers’ start to the 2025-26 season. Last week, veteran guard Bradley Beal fractured his left hip and required season-ending surgery. He started six games for the Clippers. Additionally, Kawhi Leonard is dealing with a right foot sprain and ankle injury. Not ideal, Los Angeles is only 13 games into the season. While Leonard missed the game, James Harden was asked to lead the Clippers offense.

Harden’s 26.0 points per game is the 16th-highest at this point in the year. The next closest player on the list is center Ivica Zubac, who averages 16.2 points per game. Their offense couldn’t sustain it, and Harden was giving up 25-30 points every night. That’s not a recipe for winning basketball games. Los Angeles desperately needs Kawhi Leonard back on the court. In six starts this season, Leonard is averaging 24.3 points per game.

James Harden returns to Philadelphia tonight. Over the past 10 games, he’s averaging 37 points. No Embiid. Maxi is running the show. The Clippers struggled, but the Bearded Ones excelled. Tip-off at 7 p.m. ET. Let’s see who owns this moment.
📺 Watch https://t.co/r201dKwrih
🔗 Follow: #los angeles clippers | #JamesHarden pic.twitter.com/gB59gItMrh

– Harden is not James 🥶🐐 (@baller_g32302) November 17, 2025

Without Leonard, 36-year-old James Harden is doing his best to lead Los Angeles. James Harden scored a team-high 37 points on offense against the Celtics on Sunday. He also contributed 7 rebounds and 8 assists, helping the team lose 118-121. It was the second straight game for the 11-time All-Star to score at least 35/5/5. James Harden is the fourth player in league history over the age of 36 to post 35/5/5 in two consecutive games.

He joins LeBron James (five), Kevin Durant (two) and Stephen Curry. While Harden made NBA history on Sunday, the Clippers are 2-8 in their last 10 games. Los Angeles desperately needs another player who can consistently average over 20 points per game. Kawhi Leonard could fill that void, but he’s dealing with multiple injuries. The Clippers play the second game of a back-to-back Monday in Philadelphia against the 76ers. Can James Harden lead the Clippers to victory over his former team?