James Harden Climbs NBA Scoring Ladder, Surpasses Legendary Center
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden achieved a significant career milestone on Monday night. During his team's 117-109 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, Harden moved past NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal on the league's all-time scoring list.
Historic Moment in First Quarter
The historic moment came early in the game. Harden sank a three-pointer during the first quarter, pushing his career total to 28,598 points. This total surpassed O'Neal's career mark of 28,596 points. Harden reached this milestone in his 1,187th regular-season game, while O'Neal accumulated his points over 1,207 games across 19 seasons.
The Clippers secured their fourth win in five games with this performance. Harden entered the contest averaging 2.56 points per game this season. His leadership helped the team dominate the Hornets throughout the match.
Harden's Reaction to the Achievement
After the game, Harden reflected on surpassing one of basketball's most dominant players. "The most dominant big man in the history of the game," Harden said of O'Neal during a post-game interview. "It's a true honor. It's a testament to the work that I put in, and it's all glory to God."
The veteran guard is currently playing his 17th NBA season. His consistent scoring has placed him among the league's all-time greats.
Moving Up the All-Time Rankings
With this achievement, Harden continues his ascent on the NBA's career scoring list. He now positions himself closer to other legendary scorers including:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Karl Malone
- Kobe Bryant
- Michael Jordan
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Kevin Durant
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James currently leads the all-time scoring list with 42,601 points. Harden's latest accomplishment demonstrates his lasting impact on the game.
The Clippers' victory and Harden's personal milestone highlight an impressive stretch for the franchise. Fans witnessed basketball history during what appeared to be another regular season game.
