Clippers thankful for Harden's 43 as they rout Wizards

The future Hall of Famer scored 31 in the first half en route to his first 40-point outing with L.A.

(Photo credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images)

James Harden received the ball from Ivica Zubac as the two began the tango they’ve perfected over the last 12 months in each other’s company.

As Harden threw the ball off the glass and through the hoop to give his team an early 4-2 lead, little did everyone inside Capital One Arena know the LA Clippers would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the night as they coasted to a 121-96 win over the hometown Washington Wizards.

The win moved the Clippers to 12-8 on the season.

Harden, now in his 16th NBA season, ended the night with 43 points, the most he’s ever scored as a member of the Clippers. It was the 102nd time in his illustrious future Hall of Fame career that the guard has scored at least 40 in a game.

“I was just being aggressive,” Harden told reporters in the locker room after going 13-22 from the field. “Being aggressive, and good things happen.”