History of James Harden in Timeline
James Harden is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, celebrated as one of the NBA's greatest shooting guards and scorers. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. A two-time member of the United States national team, Harden secured gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Known for his distinctive facial hair, he is nicknamed "the Beard."
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1959: Wilt Chamberlain's Debut Points Record
In 1959, Wilt Chamberlain scored 79 points in his first two career games with the Philadelphia Warriors, a record surpassed by James Harden in 2012.
December 1967: Oscar Robertson's Monthly Stats
In December 1967, Oscar Robertson recorded at least 450 points, 150 assists and 100 rebounds in a single month.
March 1968: Wilt Chamberlain's Performance
In March 1968, Wilt Chamberlain had 53 points, 32 rebounds and 14 assists for Philadelphia.
1977: Artis Gilmore's Turnover Record
In the 1977-78 season, Artis Gilmore set a record of 366 turnovers.
1977: First player in league history to post 30-15-10 with zero turnovers
On March 1, Harden logged his seventh career triple-double as a Net with 30 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds, becoming the first player in league history to post a 30–15–10 stat line with zero turnovers in a game since individual turnovers were first tracked during the 1977–78 season.
1978: Malone wins NBA MVP
In 1978, Moses Malone wins the NBA Most Valuable Player. Harden would later join Malone as MVP in 2017-18
1979: Earned Player of the Month
On April 1, Harden was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for March, becoming the first player in league history to earn Player of the Month honors in each of his first two full months with a new team since the award's inception in 1979–80.
1981: Moses Malone's Consecutive Games
In the 1981-82 season, Moses Malone had two streaks of three games each where he scored 43-plus points.
1981: Moses Malone's Free Throws Record
In the 1981–82 season, Moses Malone made 630 free throws, a team record for the Houston Rockets that James Harden surpassed in his first campaign with the team.
1981: First pair of teammates to lead the NBA in scoring and assists
On April 9, Harden ended the regular season as the league leader in assists, averaging 10.7 assists per game. He also joined Joel Embiid as the first pair of teammates to lead the NBA in scoring and assists in a season since George Gervin and Johnny Moore did so in the 1981–82 season.
August 26, 1989: James Harden's Birth
On August 26, 1989, James Edward Harden Jr. was born. He would later become a professional basketball player.
February 1991: Sleepy Floyd's Rockets Record
In February 1991, Sleepy Floyd made 22 free throws for the Rockets, tying the single-game record.
1992: Hakeem Olajuwon Player of the Week Honors
In 1992-93, Hakeem Olajuwon captured Player of the Week honors three times, the same number of times James Harden captured.
1994: Rockets Win Division Title
In 2015, James Harden helped the Houston Rockets win their first division title since 1994.
1997: Brother Played Quarterback for Kansas
In 1997, Akili Roberson, James Harden's brother, played quarterback for Kansas.
May 1999: Michael Dickerson's Record
In May 1999, Houston guard Michael Dickerson made eight straight 3-point field goals.
2000: Jerry Stackhouse's Season Stats
In the 2000-01 season, Jerry Stackhouse achieved a combination of free throws made and 3-pointers hit, also achieved by James Harden.
2003: Led the Nets into first place in the Eastern Conference
Harden's franchise-record six triple-doubles of the month carried the Nets into first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2003.
2004: Tracy McGrady Player of the Week Honors
In 2004-05, Tracy McGrady captured Player of the Week honors four times, one more than James Harden captured.
2005: Gilbert Arenas' Season Stats
In the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Gilbert Arenas achieved a combination of free throws made and 3-pointers hit, also achieved by James Harden.
2006: Gilbert Arenas' Season Stats
In the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Gilbert Arenas achieved a combination of free throws made and 3-pointers hit, also achieved by James Harden.
March 2007: Kobe Bryant's Consecutive 50-Point Games
In March 2007, Kobe Bryant had four straight games with 50 or more points. On December 22, 2017, Harden matched this feat.
April 2007: First Net to win the award since Vince Carter
In March, Harden was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February. The honor was the eleventh of his career and first as a Net, making him the first Net to win the award since Vince Carter in April 2007.
2007: Gilbert Arenas' Season Stats
In the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Gilbert Arenas achieved a combination of free throws made and 3-pointers hit, also achieved by James Harden.
November 30, 2008: Scored Career-High 40 Points
On November 30, 2008, James Harden scored a career-high 40 points in an 88–58 victory over UTEP.
2008: Arizona State Season and NIT Appearance
In 2008, during James Harden's freshman year, the Arizona State Sun Devils finished tied for fifth in the Pac-10 with a 21-13 record. The team was selected to the 2008 NIT field, where they defeated Alabama State and Southern Illinois before losing to Florida.
2009: All-American and Drafted into NBA
In 2009, James Harden was named a consensus All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year while playing college basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Later that year, Harden was selected with the third overall pick in the NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
January 1, 2010: Beginning of Decade
Going back to January 1, 2010, Harden finished the decade as the NBA's leading scorer with 19,578 points.
March 2010: Rodrigue Beaubois scored 40 points as a reserve
In March 2010, Dallas guard Rodrigue Beaubois scored 40 points as a reserve.
2010: Scored 10-plus Points Multiple Times
During the 2010–11 season, James Harden scored 10 or more points on 54 occasions.
March 6, 2011: Scored Season-High Against Phoenix Suns
On March 6, 2011, James Harden scored a season-high 26 points against the Phoenix Suns.
2011: NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
During the 2011-12 season, James Harden averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 62 games and received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
April 18, 2012: Scored Season-High 40 Points Against Phoenix
On April 18, 2012, James Harden scored a season-high 40 points against the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first NBA player in a reserve role to score 40 points since Rodrigue Beaubois in March 2010.
October 31, 2012: Signed Contract Extension with Rockets
On October 31, 2012, James Harden signed a contract extension with the Houston Rockets for five years worth $80 million.
2012: Returned to action after strained hamstring
After missing 18 games due to a strained hamstring, Harden returned to action on May 12, 2021. Coming off the bench for the first time since 2012, Harden posted a double-double with 18 points and 11 assists in a 128–116 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
2012: Contract Extension Offer from Oklahoma City
During the 2012 free agency period, Oklahoma City attempted to sign James Harden to a four-year contract extension worth between $52 and $55 million.
2012: Won Gold Medal at Summer Olympics
In 2012, James Harden won a gold medal as a member of the United States national team at the Summer Olympics.
2012: Named to All-NBA Third Team
In 2012-13, James Harden was named to the All-NBA Third Team, marking his first career All-NBA Team selection.
February 2, 2013: First Career Triple-Double
On February 2, 2013, James Harden recorded the first triple-double of his career against the Charlotte Bobcats, with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
February 20, 2013: Scored Career-High 46 Points
On February 20, 2013, James Harden scored a career-high 46 points in a 122–119 win over his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
December 26, 2013: Registered 27 Points on Two Field Goals
On December 26, 2013, against the Memphis Grizzlies, James Harden became the first player in NBA history to register at least 27 points on two or fewer field goals made, finishing with a career best 22-of-25 from the free throw line.
2013: Steven Adams Draft
In 2013, Steven Adams was drafted as one of the players received by the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for James Harden.
2013: 25,000-point scorers to play together
On February 2, 2024, Harden and Russell Westbrook became the third pair of 25,000-point scorers to play together in NBA history in a 136–125 win over the Detroit Pistons. They joined LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony for the 2021–22 Lakers and Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for the 2013–14 Nets.
February 5, 2014: Scored 3,000 Points in First 120 Games
On February 5, 2014, against the Phoenix Suns, James Harden became just the third player to score at least 3,000 points in his first 120 games played with the Houston Rockets.
February 25, 2014: Scored Season-High 43 Points
On February 25, 2014, James Harden scored a season-high 43 points in a 129–103 win over the Sacramento Kings.
2014: Won Gold Medal at FIBA World Cup
In 2014, James Harden won a gold medal as a member of the United States national team at the FIBA World Cup.
2014: Mitch McGary Draft
In 2014, Mitch McGary was drafted as one of the players received by the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for James Harden.
2014: National Basketball Players Association MVP
In 2014-15 season, James Harden was voted the inaugural National Basketball Players Association's MVP.
April 2015: Two 50-Point Games
In April 2015, James Harden became the first player in Houston Rockets history to have two 50-point games in a season.
August 3, 2015: Adidas Endorsement Deal
On August 3, 2015, James Harden received an endorsement deal from Adidas worth $200 million over 13 years.
November 2015: Consecutive 43-Plus Point Games and Coach Fired
In November 2015, James Harden became the first Rocket to score 43-plus points in consecutive games since Moses Malone. On November 18, head coach Kevin McHale was fired.
2015: Turnover Record
In the 2015-16 season, James Harden set a record for turnovers, surpassing Artis Gilmore's mark of 366.
July 9, 2016: Harden signs contract extension with the Rockets
On July 9, 2016, James Harden signed a four-year, $118.1 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets, securing his place with the team for the foreseeable future.
September 2016: Harden to play point guard for the Rockets
In September 2016, the Houston Rockets' new head coach, Mike D'Antoni, announced that James Harden would transition to the point guard position for the upcoming 2016–17 season.
December 31, 2016: Harden's historic triple-double
On December 31, 2016, James Harden achieved a historic triple-double, recording 53 points, 17 assists, and 16 rebounds in a 129–122 victory over the New York Knicks, becoming the first player in NBA history to reach a 50-15-15 stat line.
July 8, 2017: Harden signs contract extension with the Rockets for approximately $160 million
On July 8, 2017, James Harden signed a four-year contract extension with the Rockets for approximately $160 million, leading to a total six-year deal with $228 million guaranteed.
2017: Harden eliminated from playoffs
Despite a 32-point effort from Harden in Game 7, in 2017, the Rockets were eliminated from the playoffs with a 101–92 defeat.
2017: Harden named NBA Most Valuable Player
In June 2017, James Harden was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2017–18 season.
January 30, 2018: Harden scores 60 points as part of a triple-double
On January 30, 2018, James Harden became the first player in NBA history to score 60 points as part of a triple-double, finishing with 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a 114-107 win over the Orlando Magic.
2018: Named NBA Most Valuable Player
In 2018, James Harden was named the NBA Most Valuable Player while playing for the Houston Rockets and leading them to the Western Conference Finals.
2018: Harden Scores 30+ Points Against Every Team in NBA
On March 19, 2018, James Harden scored 31 points in a win against the Atlanta Hawks and became the first player in NBA history to score 30 or more points against all 29 other teams in a single season.
October 30, 2019: Harden scores 59 points against the Wizards
On October 30, 2019, James Harden scored 59 points against the Washington Wizards in a 159–158 win. This was two points away from his career-high.
November 11, 2019: Harden named Western Conference Player of the Week
On November 11, 2019, James Harden was named the Western Conference's Player of the Week.
November 30, 2019: Harden scores 60 points against the Hawks
On November 30, 2019, James Harden scored a season-high 60 points, along with 8 assists, in just 31 minutes during a 158–111 win against the Atlanta Hawks, marking his fourth career 60-point game.
December 11, 2019: Harden scores 55 points against the Cavaliers
On December 11, 2019, James Harden scored 55 points on an efficient 20-of-34 field goal shooting and 10-of-18 from three in a 116–110 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
December 13, 2019: Harden scores 54 points against the Magic
On December 13, 2019, James Harden scored 54 points against the Orlando Magic.
December 21, 2019: Harden passes Baylor for most 40-point games in NBA history
On December 21, 2019, James Harden surpassed Elgin Baylor for the most 40-point games in NBA history, finishing with 40 points in a 139–125 victory against the Phoenix Suns.
2019: Posted first 50-point game
On March 5, 2025, James Harden posted his first 50-point game since 2019 in a 123–115 win over the Detroit Pistons.
November 2020: Harden Demands a Trade
In November 2020, James Harden demanded a trade from the Houston Rockets and reported to training camp late.
2020: Requested Trade from Rockets
At the beginning of the 2020–21 season, James Harden requested a trade from the Houston Rockets.
2020: Rockets Eliminated in Playoffs
In 2020, the Houston Rockets were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers.
2020: Requested trade to the Brooklyn Nets
Near the end of 2020, James Harden requested a trade to the Brooklyn Nets with the intention of forming a superteam with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
January 14, 2021: Traded to Brooklyn Nets
On January 14, 2021, James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers. The Rockets received Rodions Kurucs, Dante Exum, Victor Oladipo, four first-round draft picks, and four first-round pick swaps.
October 22, 2021: Moved past Kyle Korver for fourth on the all-time three-pointers list
On October 22, 2021, Harden scored 20 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in a 114–109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, surpassing Kyle Korver for fourth on the all-time three-pointers made list.
2021: Named Eastern Conference All-Star Reserve
In 2021, James Harden continued his success with the Nets, earning his first Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor and being named an Eastern Conference reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking his ninth consecutive All-Star selection.
2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, James Harden was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, honoring him as one of the league's top 75 players.
2021: 25,000-point scorers to play together
On February 2, 2024, Harden and Russell Westbrook became the third pair of 25,000-point scorers to play together in NBA history in a 136–125 win over the Detroit Pistons. They joined LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony for the 2021–22 Lakers and Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for the 2013–14 Nets.
January 15, 2022: Tied season-high assists in win over Pelicans
On January 15, 2022, James Harden had 27 points, 8 rebounds and tied a season-high 15 assists in a 120–105 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
February 10, 2022: Traded to Philadelphia 76ers
On February 10, 2022, James Harden was traded along with Paul Millsap to the Philadelphia 76ers by the Nets in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round selections.
July 27, 2022: Re-signed with the 76ers
On July 27, 2022, James Harden re-signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $68.6 million deal which includes a player option for the 2023–24 season.
2022: Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers
At the 2022 trade deadline, James Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
2022: Requested a trade from 76ers
Following the 2022–23 season, Harden picked up his $35.6 million option to remain with the 76ers but eventually requested a trade.
November 1, 2023: Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers
On November 1, 2023, James Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev were traded from the 76ers to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Robert Covington.
2023: Led the League in Assists
In 2023, James Harden led the league in assists for the second time in his career.
2023: Contract included a player option
On July 27, 2022, James Harden re-signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $68.6 million deal which includes a player option for the 2023–24 season.
January 26, 2024: Recorded 75th career triple-double
On January 26, 2024, James Harden recorded his 75th career triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists in a 127–107 win over the Toronto Raptors.
July 10, 2024: Re-signed with the Clippers
On July 10, 2024, James Harden re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year, $70 million contract.
November 2, 2024: Recorded 78th career triple-double
On November 2, 2024, James Harden recorded his 78th career triple-double, tying Wilt Chamberlain for seventh in NBA history, with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists. He also became the 20th player in NBA history to reach 26,000 points in his career.
2024: Clippers clinched No. 5 seed
On April 13, 2025, James Harden recorded 39 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and two blocks in a 124–119 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors in the regular-season finale to clinch the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. He scored 12 of the Clippers' 13 overtime points during the 2024-2025 NBA season.
January 30, 2025: Named as reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game
On January 30, 2025, James Harden was named as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his eleventh selection.
June 29, 2025: Re-signed with Los Angeles
On June 29, 2025, James Harden declined his player option and re-signed with Los Angeles on a new two-year, $81.5 million contract.
2025: Named to 11th All-Star Game
In 2025, James Harden was named to his 11th All-Star Game.
February 4, 2026: Harden Acquired by the Cavaliers
On February 4, 2026, James Harden was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick.
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