NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Rockets 125-123. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
James Harden is having a great year for the Houston Rockets, but his night against the Charlotte Hornets was sub-par, and the announcers loved it.
Triple-double and you’re getting laughed at by the opponent’s announcers? Tough crowd.
This was Saturday night for Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden in the team’s disappointing 108-99 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
Harden recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds, but also committed a team-high 10 turnovers. Before the final one, the Hornets’ broadcasters were speculating about the possibility for a rare quadruple-double and seconds later, were given the feat on an errant bounce pass.
They couldn’t contain their excitement.
It’s hard to blame the guys. Charlotte has been utterly miserable this season going 22-41, well out of the Eastern Conference playoff race with a month remaining. This might have been the best moment all season, beating one of the true title contenders and seeing Harden turn the ball over 10 times.
For Harden, it’ll be a night to quickly forget despite the triple-double. Houston was dominated from the outset and never found its footing, losing to one of the worst teams in the NBA. This is somehow not even the Rockets’ worst loss this week, considering they fell to the New York Knicks on the same night Spike Lee was laid into by owner James Dolan for using the employee entrance to Madison Square Garden.
Houston’s next games comes on Monday night at Toyota Center against the Orlando Magic. The Rockets are 39-23 and leading the Southwest Division by one game over the Dallas Mavericks.