INGLEWOOD, Calif. — James Harden joined Golden State’s Stephen Curry as the only NBA players to reach 3,000 career 3-pointers.
Harden reached the milestone in the first half of the LA Clippers’ 126-122 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. He hit three 3-pointers in the first half and three more in the second while leading the Clippers with 39 points.
“Another one of those achievements that you never take for granted,” Harden said. “The amount of work I’ve put in – countless days and nights I’ve put in – a lot of people don’t see it, but the results happen, so I’m just grateful.”
Harden nearly had a triple-double, with nine rebounds and 11 assists.
The achievement capped a standout week for the 35-year-old point guard. 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 do so.
“He had that first quarter against Washington where he reminded people, ‘Hey, I can still go out here and throw 40’s at them real quick,'” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
The Clippers are 13-9 without superstar Kawhi Leonard, who has yet to play this season as he manages ongoing inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
Harden has been tasked with carrying a greater offensive load in the absence of Leonard, as well as the departure of Paul George as a free agent this offseason. He has responded and at times, like against the Wizards, his efforts have been reminiscent of his prolific scoring years with the Houston Rockets.
Malone noted that Harden has matured and responded to what was asked of him as a point guard.
“He makes almost all the key decisions for his offense,” the coach said. “He can also beat you with the way he plays, and that shows you the talent, it shows you the quality of his game, where he is not just the scorer.”
Harden also mentors the team’s younger players, a role he describes as “very, very comfortable” for him.
“It’s easy for me just because I’ve been in this situation for a lot of my NBA career. I just help the guys as much as I can to make the game a lot easier for them,” he said. “It’s really fun.”
Norman Powell said he and the other Clippers love playing with Harden because they know he will give them the ball.
“It’s hard to watch from afar,” Powell said, “but on the court knowing when to attack, knowing when to shoot, when to get guys open, the pass he makes. He knows how to get guys open.” and get the most out of the team.
