James Harden put on a show at the Intuit Dome, dropping 50 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers past the Detroit Pistons and snap their losing streak.
But Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff didn’t hold back, offering a backhanded compliment while taking aim at the officiating. He suggested that Harden’s big night was helped by the referees.
JB Bickerstaff Calls Out Refs After James Harden’s 50-Point Game
On Wednesday night, the Clippers’ point guard delivered a dominant performance, scoring 50 points along with four rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes. The basketball world took notice.
However, Bickerstaff pointed out that Harden benefited from officiating, even as he acknowledged his talent.
“Again, give him a ton of credit, but if you know you’re not allowed to put your body on him legally, and he’s allowed to shoot 20 free throws, you’re not going to be able to guard him,” Bickerstaff said.
JB Bickerstaff didn’t like how James Harden was officiated tonight:
“If you're not allowed to put your body on him legally and he's allowed to shoot 20 free throws, you're not gonna be able to guard him. It just makes your job extremely difficult.”pic.twitter.com/0fTndHOUgW
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 6, 2025
“I mean, he’s an elite offensive weapon. You know he can score in a bunch of ways, but when he’s allowed to get to the free-throw line 20 times, it just makes your job extremely difficult.”
Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham echoed that frustration, saying the Clippers—especially Harden—benefited from favorable calls.
“A lot of that has to do with respect from the refs as far as the experience,” Cunningham said. “I understand that, I respect it. It’s hard for me to respect getting hit and not getting a call.”
Tyronn Lue on Harden’s Impact
Harden recorded his 24th career 50-point game, putting him one shy of Kobe Bryant’s 25. The 35-year-old turned back the clock to help the Clippers snap a three-game skid. Head coach Tyronn Lue was grateful for the 11-time All-Star’s performance.
“To see him come out and score 50 on a back-to-back, at the age of 35, just says a lot about him—competing every night and playing 38 minutes again on a back-to-back,” Lue said. “But we needed every bit of it.”
“He was getting right into his shots, getting to his spots, not over-dribbling,” Lue added. “When he’s making his step-back three—of course, he can get to the free-throw line, he can get to the basket—but when he’s making his three, it’s a tough cover.”
The Clippers will be back in action on Friday, March 7, at Intuit Dome, hosting the New York Knicks.