NBA: James Harden’s strong second half pushes Clippers past Bulls

Feb 26, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) points after scoring a three-point basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half of an NBA game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

James Harden scored 30 points and Amir Coffey added 20 to lead six players in double figures and lift the visiting Los Angeles Clippers to a 122-117 victory against the Chicago Bulls in the NBA on Wednesday.

Kawhi Leonard scored 17 points for the Clippers and Derrick Jones Jr. had 16 as Los Angeles stopped a three-game skid. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 14 points, and Ivica Zubac had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

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Harden overcame 1-for-5 shooting in the first half, scoring 27 points after intermission. Leonard returned to the lineup after missing the past two games with left foot soreness.

Chicago never led after Josh Giddey’s trey put the hosts ahead 85-83 with 4:39 left in the third quarter. The Clippers scored 19 of the next 27 points.

The Bulls drew within two points on a Kevin Huerter layup with 4:14 left but couldn’t regain the lead.

Coby White missed an attempt at a tying trey with 36 seconds left before Harden iced the result with a pullup 3-pointer with 14 seconds to go.

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Chicago has lost seven of eight.

Giddey had 21 points and 12 assists while Zach Collins also registered a double-double for Chicago, contributing 21 points and 17 rebounds.

White added 19 points while Tre Jones (16), Lonzo Ball (15), and Huerter (13) followed.

The Clippers opened the second quarter on a 13-6 run to take a 44-32 lead, but Chicago kept chipping away. A Jones running layup with 3:55 to play before the break gave the Bulls a 50-49 advantage, and they regained the lead going into halftime, 60-59.

Strong ball movement fueled Chicago in the early going. The Bulls had 20 assists on 25 first-half field goals while committing just three turnovers. Collins led all scorers with 16 points at the break. Coffey paced the Clippers with 14.

Norman Powell remained out for the Clippers with left patellar tendinopathy. Nikola Vucevic (right calf tightness), Ayo Dosunmu (left shoulder), and Patrick Williams (right quad) missed the game for the Bulls.

Los Angeles earned a split of the season series after losing by 13 points at home on Jan. 20. The Clippers have won seven of the past 11 meetings. –Field Level Media