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Three takeaways from the LA Clippers’ blowout win over Pelicans

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Los Angeles Clippers Center Montrezl Harrell (5) reacts to a call during a NBA game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 24, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Los Angeles Clippers Center Montrezl Harrell (5) reacts to a call during a NBA game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 24, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 24, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 24, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Montrezl Harrell has a career night

It seems that about every other week or so, Montrezl Harrell goes and does something he’s never done before.

That was the case against the New Orleans Pelicans, as the fifth-year big matched his career-high in scoring with 34 points and pitched in another 12 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.

The most impressive part, though, is that he managed to do so in just 28 minutes of action, placing him on a rather exclusive list in NBA history.

Per the team, Harrell became the fourth player in NBA history to record at least 34 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks off the bench. The last player to do it was Brook Lopez, who achieved the feat on January 30, 2015. The other two players are Darius Miles and Larry Bird, though none of those three did it in less than 38 minutes — 10 minutes more than Harrell played.

It was the latest great game for Harrell in a steady streak of others, and it’s become clear that even with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on the roster, is presence is as important — and unfair to opposing teams — as ever before.

Harrell is averaging a career-best 19.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this season, and it seems likely that he will remain around there for the duration of the regular season. He plays an enormous role in the offense, and when he’s paired with Lou Williams, he is as lethal in the lane as any other big in the NBA.

Given that he’s already either set or matched his career-high in scoring twice this season, doing it again seems like a certainty. A 40-point game doesn’t seem out of the question, either.

There are still some things that Harrell needs to work on, but for now, it’s hard to ask for more from 25-year-old forward.

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