INGLEWOOD, Calif. — On a night that felt equal parts January grind and basketball history, James Harden once again reminded everyone that milestones don’t slow him down — they tend to show up right on schedule.

The Clippers’ 117–109 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night at Intuit Dome marked their 16th victory of the season, their 10th win in the last 12 games, and another entry into the ever-growing legacy of Harden. In front of 17,927 fans, Harden climbed to ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, passing Shaquille O’Neal with career point No. 28,597 — a number that now places him one spot behind Wilt Chamberlain.

That’s not just trivia. That’s history with weight.

Harden reached the mark in the third quarter, a moment that briefly paused the action and quietly underscored how rare his career arc has been. From sixth man to MVP to one of the most productive offensive engines the league has ever seen, Harden continues to add chapters well into his mid-30s — and now he sits above Shaq, one of the most dominant forces the game has known.

And Harden didn’t stop there.

He finished the night with 32 points and 10 assists in 37 minutes, marking his 109th career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists — second all-time, trailing only Oscar Robertson. The efficiency wasn’t pristine (11-for-28 from the field), but the control, the shot-making in winning moments, and the orchestration were all there.

Midway through the fourth quarter, with the Hornets threatening to linger, Harden buried back-to-back three-pointers. After the second, he turned toward the crowd and let out a roar as Charlotte called a timeout. It was vintage Harden — part assassin, part conductor, fully aware of the moment.

Still, this night wasn’t a one-man show.

Kawhi Leonard was the steady force that ultimately carried the Clippers across the finish line. Leonard exploded in the third quarter and never let go, finishing with 35 points, five rebounds, and three assists in just 32 minutes. When the game tightened, Leonard’s calm shot-making and physical presence tilted the floor back in the Clippers’ favor.

Together, Harden and Leonard combined for 67 points, continuing to look more like the partnership the Clippers envisioned. Harden summed it up best afterward: “Two of the most skilled talents that this league has ever seen.” Harden said postgame.

The supporting cast did its job, too. Jordan Miller led the bench with 14 points, Brook Lopez chipped in nine — all on three-pointers — and Kobe Sanders added eight points in 23 minutes. The Clippers’ bench outscored Charlotte’s reserves 38–29 and helped maintain energy throughout a back-and-forth second half.

One of the quieter but most important stats of the night came in the turnover column. The Clippers coughed the ball up just five times, a rarity for a team that has struggled with carelessness at times this season. Those clean possessions turned into 20 points off Hornets turnovers, 20 fastbreak points, and a steady sense of control.

Not everything clicked. John Collins started and logged 30 minutes but scored just three points, though he did contribute five rebounds. And despite leading by as many as 13, the Clippers never fully put Charlotte away until late.

The Hornets had their own storyline. LaMelo Ball, back in Southern California where he starred at Chino Hills High School, clearly relished the moment. Playing in front of family and friends, Ball came alive in the second half and kept Charlotte within striking distance. He finished with 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes, while Brandon Miller added 13 points.

But Charlotte simply didn’t have enough gas — or answers — to match a Clippers team that has found rhythm over the past month.

At 16–23, the Clippers are still digging out of an early-season hole, but the trajectory is unmistakable. Harden is stacking milestones. Leonard is asserting himself. The margins — ball security, bench production, defensive stretches — are finally swinging their way.

Another milestone night is now in the books. Another win, too.

And with the Washington Wizards coming to Intuit Dome on Wednesday — fresh off acquiring Trae Young — the Clippers will get another test. For now, though, Monday belonged to Harden, history, and a team that’s quietly finding its stride.