The Philadelphia 76ers overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-114 on Friday, largely thanks to a historic night from point guard James Harden.
Posting a career-high 21 assists, Harden tied Hall of Famers Maurice Cheeks and Wilt Chamberlain for the Sixers’ franchise record.
Harden added 20 points and 11 boards, becoming only the second Sixer to post a 20-assist triple-double, joining the legendary Chamberlain, who accomplished the feat in 1968 against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
For Harden, Friday’s triple-double was the 70th of his career. The 33-year-old ranks fourth among active players in career triple-doubles, with only Nikola Jokic (82), LeBron James (105), and Russell Westbrook (196) having more.
Speaking with reporters after the game, Sixers’ head coach Doc Rivers lauded Harden for his unselfishness.
“This is a generational scorer that has decided to be a point guard for this team,” Rivers said. “The fact that he is willingly doing it, running the team, is huge for us.”
Harden and the Sixers have won seven games in a row, capping off a perfect 7-0 homestand to improve to 19-12. According to the Sixers’ PR department, it’s only the second time in franchise history the Sixers have swept a seven-game homestand.
