Clippers 117, Hornets 109: James Harden posts 62.8 fantasy points
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Jasmine "Jazz" Porter
University Student · Oklahoma City Thunder fan
Harden and Kawhi Put Hornets in the Spin Cycle, but Diabaté's Boards Were Unhinged
The Clippers just showed Charlotte what happens when your All-NBA guard duo decides to show up at the same time. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard went absolutely nuclear, combining for 67 points on efficient shooting, and the Hornets got absolutely cooked 117-109. But here's the fantasy wrinkle that's actually interesting: Moussa Diabaté just had the best game of his career and nobody's talking about it, while LaMelo Ball proved he's still a league-winner even in a loss. This is the kind of game where you see who your real players are.
Tonight's Top Performers
| Player | Yahoo FP | Tonight | Season Avg | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Harden | 62.8 | 32/4/10/4/0 | 25.8/4.7/8.1 | +6.2 pts, +1.9 assists |
| Moussa Diabaté | 51.0 | 13/15/4/1/4 | 8.2/8.4/1.5 | +4.8 pts, +6.6 boards |
| Kawhi Leonard | 44.5 | 35/5/3/0/0 | 28.2/6.3/3.5 | +6.8 pts |
| LaMelo Ball | 43.3 | 25/9/5/1/0 | 20.4/5.2/7.8 | +4.6 pts, +3.8 boards |
| Brandon Miller | 28.7 | 13/6/5/1/0 | 19.4/4.2/3.5 | -6.4 pts, +1.8 boards |
| Kon Knueppel | 28.0 | 18/5/4/0/0 | 19.1/5.2/3.6 | -1.1 pts |
Harden absolutely showed up when it mattered most. 32 points on 11-28 shooting with 10 dimes is exactly what you want from a guy running the offense. He was +6.2 above his season average and attacked relentlessly. This isn't a fluke either, the man's a reigning All-NBA selection for a reason. Kawhi was even scarier though, dropping 35 on 11-19 shooting with 5 threes in just 30 minutes. That's elite efficiency, and he was +6.8 pts above his norm. When both of them are clicking like this, nobody's stopping LA.
The real shocker? Diabaté. This dude grabbed 15 boards and chipped in 13 points with 4 blocks. He's a +6.6 on rebounds compared to his season average. For context, his season average is 8.4 boards per game, and he just crushed that in one night. He's been getting consistent minutes (35 tonight), and if this is the version of Moussa we're getting, he's actually a valuable pickup in deeper leagues. This wasn't a blip either, he was efficient at 6-10 from the field.
The Winners
James Harden (62.8 Yahoo FP) keeps proving he's one of the league's best all-around guards. He's been a season average of 25.8/4.7/8.1, and tonight he was 32/4/10 with 4 steals. That's +6.2 on scoring and nearly two extra dimes. For All-NBA players, he's been a bit of a disappointment this year in some formats, but games like this remind you why he was drafted high.
Kawhi Leonard (44.5 Yahoo FP) is just on another level when he's healthy. 35 points on 30 minutes of play is absolutely ridiculous. His season average sits at 28.2, so +6.8 is massive. The efficient 5-for-9 from three tells you he was getting quality looks. If you're in a points league, he's your guy.
Moussa Diabaté (51.0 Yahoo FP) is the sneaky winner here. A 13/15/4 line with 4 blocks is the kind of performance that changes draft conversations. He's averaging 8.2 points and 8.4 boards for the season, so +6.6 rebounds is huge. He's been getting 35+ minutes lately, and if the Hornets keep feeding him in the paint, he's a genuine pickup.
The Letdowns
Brandon Miller shot himself right out of this one. He put up 13 points but on 5-11 shooting, which is rough for a guy who averages 19.4. He was -6.4 on his season average and just didn't have the efficiency Charlotte needed in a loss. Not panic-worthy yet, but they needed more from him here.
Miles Bridges completely disappeared. 11 points on 3-10 shooting with only 6 boards in 34 minutes is basically a ghost shift for him. He's averaging 19.7 and 6.5 boards, so coming in at -8.7 on points is concerning. Charlotte got run off the court, and Miles didn't step up.
The Trends
The Clippers are running Harden 37 minutes and he's dominating when he gets the rock. Kawhi in 30 minutes is the new normal, and honestly, it's working because both guys are plus-plus efficient. Don't expect 35-point games from Kawhi every night, but 30 mins of elite play is the safer bet.
For Charlotte, LaMelo is staying around 32 minutes and continues to be a monster. He went 25/9/5 and honestly could've had more if the team wasn't trailing. Diabaté at 35 minutes suggests he's your center going forward. The Hornets seem to be riding with him in the paint.
The Moves
Add Moussa Diabaté if he's available. I don't care if you're shallow at center, this performance plus the consistent minutes means he's worth a stash in standard leagues. His per-36 stats are getting spicy.
Drop Miles Bridges in PPR formats if someone better is available. He's been inconsistent all year, and when his team needs buckets, he's not delivering. There's probably a better third option on waivers.
Trade Brandon Miller if you can get someone who's more consistent. He's got talent but he's too boom-bust right now. You want players who show up in losses too.
Next Up
Watch how the Clippers integrate Harden and Kawhi going forward. If this is the chemistry they found, they're a problem. Charlotte needs to figure out why they got completely gassed. LaMelo deserves better teammates, honestly. And keep eyes on Diabaté next game, because if he's actually the answer for Charlotte's center spot, he's flying under the radar.