UPDATE: LA Clippers star James Harden has made history by entering the NBA’s top 10 all-time scorers, surpassing Carmelo Anthony during a high-stakes game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
With just 21 points needed to reach Anthony’s total of 28,289, Harden scored 19 points in the first half and secured the milestone with two free throws at 4:23 in the third quarter. This achievement cements his legacy as one of the game’s greatest, as he now sits at No. 10 on the all-time scoring list.
Harden’s next targets are Shaquille O’Neal, who holds the ninth spot with 28,596 points, and former teammate Kevin Durant, currently eighth with 31,024 points.
Harden expressed his disbelief at joining such an elite group of players. “You look at that list, it’s like there’s no way,” he stated. “It’s just literally like a dream come true. The work that I literally put in is coming to fruition.”
Currently averaging 26.5 points per game this season, Harden reflected on the enormity of his achievement, especially when comparing his game to legends like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant. “All those guys are way bigger than me, way more athletic than me,” he remarked.
As one of only three guards in the top 10—along with Bryant and Michael Jordan—Harden has had to carve out a unique path to scoring success. His signature move, the step-back jumper, has changed how basketball is played at various levels. Since the 2013-14 season, he has made nearly 2,000 step-back jumpers, scoring over 5,100 points off that shot alone, leading all players by more than 1,000 points.
Harden’s journey has been transformative, especially after his trade from Oklahoma City to Houston. During his eight-plus seasons in Houston, he averaged 29.6 points, winning three consecutive scoring titles from 2018 to 2020 and earning the 2017-18 MVP award. “Life-changing,” Harden described the trade. “I probably wouldn’t have been able to be who I am.”
At 36 years old, Harden continues to impress, with Kawhi Leonard praising his ongoing performance. “He’s still doing stuff that these guys, faces of the league, are doing,” Leonard said.
Looking ahead, Harden is uncertain about how much longer he can play but remains focused on continuing to elevate his game. “I feel like that still,” he concluded, emphasizing his enduring passion for basketball.
As NBA fans react to this milestone, Harden’s achievement is sure to spark discussions about his legacy and the future of his career. Stay tuned for more updates as he continues his climb up the scoring list.
