With a step-back 3-pointer in Saturday’s first half versus Minnesota, Rockets superstar and future Hall of Famer James Harden added to his historic legacy by breaking the 20,000 point mark for his career.
The former MVP is now just the 15th player in NBA history with at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, and 4,000 rebounds for his career, and only the second active player after LeBron James.
At 30 years old and 138 days, Harden is the seventh youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points — and in 802 career games, he’s the 17th fastest player to achieve the milestone. Harden edged out Carmelo Anthony and Larry Bird, respectively, on those lists.
Through 36 games of the 2019-20 season, Harden leads the league with an average of 37.9 points per game, which would be the highest total of any NBA player in 56 years and the most by a guard ever.
Now in his 11th season, Harden currently ranks 45th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He should move up to 43rd within the next game or two by passing Antawn Jamison (20,042) and Tom Chambers (20.049).
Entering Saturday, backcourt co-star Russell Westbrook was No. 48 on the league’s all-time scoring list and only 360 short of 20,000 himself.
When he eclipses that mark — and barring injury, it should happen later this season — he will join Harden and James in that exclusive tier of active greats with 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, and 4,000 rebounds.
