Los Angeles Clippers star guard James Harden has joined Golden State’s Stephen Curry as the only NBA players to hit 3,000 career 3-pointers. Harden reached the milestone in the first half of the Clippers’ 126-122 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden recorded his 100th career 40-point game against the Washington Wizards
Harden, 35, hit three 3s in the first half and three more in the second half while leading the Clippers with 39 points on 10-of-26 (38.5%) shooting from the field, 6-for-15 (40%) from 3-point range, and all 15 made free throws. He also had nine rebounds, 11 assists, and a steal.
“Another one of those accomplishments that you never take for granted,” Harden said. “The amount of work that I’ve put in — countless days and nights where I put the work in — a lot of people don’t see it, but the results happen, so I’m just thankful.” Harden just missed a triple-double, with nine rebounds and 11 assists.
Congrats to @JHarden13 of the @LAClippers for becoming the 2nd player in NBA history to make 3,000 threes! pic.twitter.com/VltiyCV1YC
— NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2024
Harden has now made 3,004 career 3-pointers, while Curry leads the all-time list with 3,810 3s. Ray Allen is third with 2,973 3s, followed by Damian Lillard (2,660 3s), Reggie Miller (2,560 3s), and Klay Thompson (2,531 3s).
Earlier this week, Harden scored 43 points, his most as a Clipper, in a road win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, his 100th career game of 40 or more. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan as the only players to accomplish the feat.
“He had that first quarter against Washington where he reminded people, ‘Hey, I can still go out here and drop 40 on you real quick,'” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
Harden ranks 22nd on the NBA/ABA all-time scoring list
According to Basketball-Reference, Harden also currently ranks 22nd overall on the NBA/ABA all-time scoring list with 26,376 points. He trails NBA Hall of Famers like Tim Duncan (26,496 points), Paul Pierce (26,397 points), and John Havlicek (26,395 points).
Furthermore, the Clippers are 13-9 without star forward Kawhi Leonard, who has yet to make his season debut while managing ongoing inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
Harden has been tasked with carrying a heavier offensive load in Leonard’s absence, along with Paul George leaving as a free agent in the offseason and signing a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Additionally, Harden has been mentoring the team’s younger players, a role he describes as “really fun” since the experience is nothing new for the 16-year veteran.
“It’s easy for me just because I’ve been in this situation for a lot of my NBA career. Just helping guys as much as I can to where it makes the game a lot easier for them,” he said. “It’s really fun.”
Through 22 games (all starts), Harden is averaging 22.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 34.4 minutes per contest while shooting a career-low 38.5% from the floor and 34.6% from beyond the arc.
