NBA: James Harden hits 25,000 career points as LA Clippers win again, Boston Celtics beat Cleveland Cavaliers

James Harden became just the 24th player in NBA history to score 25,000 career points as his Los Angeles Clippers side clinched a sixth consecutive victory with a 121-113 triumph over Golden State Warriors.

Harden recorded a season high of 28 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds in becoming the eighth-fastest player to score 25,000 points, reaching the milestone in his 1,018th career game.

He helped seal a comprehensive win for the Eastern Conference leaders Clippers, as Kawhi Leonard added 27 points and eight rebounds, Norman Powell scored 21 points and Amir Cofffey grabbed a season-high 18.

While the Clippers were without Paul George, who missed his first game of the season with a hip injury, Golden State were left to rue the absence of Draymond Green, who has been suspended indefinitely following his third ejection of the season.

Klay Thompson hit 30 points for the visitors but it proved insufficient as the Warriors lost their seventh consecutive away game.

The Warriors trailed 103-102 with less than nine minutes remaining but driven by Powell, the Clippers would ultimately take control and a ruthless Leonard helped wrap up the win.

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics sealed a 12th-straight home victory with a 116-107 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jayson Tatum was again the star of the show with 27 points, Jaylen Brown chipped in with 22 and Kristaps Porzingis added 18.

The Celtics had been in control with a double-digit lead but that was reduced to just three entering a nervy final quarter.

Tatum's three-pointer helped gave the hosts breathing space before Caris LeVert piled the pressure on again at 107-102. Celtic would prove too strong, though, thanks to Holiday's lay-up and Tatum's dunk.

“I thought we could have played a lot better, to be honest,” Brown said.

“I thought we played a little lethargically and allowed them to keep the game kind of close. That’s kind of dangerous against certain teams; they’re in striking distance and can get hot at any moment.

"We’ve got to do a better job of putting teams away.”

In Thursday night's other games, Chicago Bulls emerged triumphant at Miami Heat 124-116, while in the Western Conference, leaders Minnesota Timberwolves overcame Dallas Mavericks 119-109, and second-placed Denver Nuggets recorded a 124-101 win over Brooklyn Nets.

Sacramento Kings beat Oklahoma City Thunder 128-123 and Portland Trail Blazers lost 114-122 to Utah Jazz.

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