History of James Harden in Timeline
James Harden is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers. Considered one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Harden has won gold medals with the United States national team at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup. He is widely known by his nickname, "The Beard," which is derived from his notable facial hair.
1959: Wilt Chamberlain's First Two Games
In 1959, Wilt Chamberlain scored 79 points in his first two career games with the Philadelphia Warriors.
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 53/32/14 Game
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 had 366 turnovers, which was a record at the time.
1979: First player to earn Player of the Month in first two months with a new team
On April 1, James Harden was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for March, 1979. Harden became 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.
1981: Moses Malone's Consecutive 43-Plus Point Games
In the 1981-82 season, Moses Malone had two streaks of three games with 43-plus points.
1981: Moses Malone's Free Throws Made Record
In the 1981-82 season, Moses Malone made 630 free throws for the Houston Rockets, setting a team record.
August 26, 1989: James Harden's Birth
On August 26, 1989, James Edward Harden Jr. was born. He later became a professional basketball player.
1990: Tim Hardaway's Opener Performance
In 1990, Tim Hardaway had 32 points and 18 assists for the Golden State Warriors in an opener.
February 1991: Sleepy Floyd's Free Throw Record
In February 1991, Sleepy Floyd made 22-27 free throws for the Houston Rockets.
1992: Hakeem Olajuwon Player of the Week Honors
In the 1992-93 season, Hakeem Olajuwon captured Player of the Week honors three times.
1994: Rockets Win Division Title
In 2015, James Harden helped the Rockets win their first division title since 1994.
May 1999: Michael Dickerson Makes Eight Straight 3-Pointers
In May 1999, Houston guard Michael Dickerson made eight straight 3-point field goals.
2000: Players with 600 Free Throws and 150 3-Pointers
In the 2000-01 season, Jerry Stackhouse made at least 600 free throws and hit 150 or more 3-pointers.
2004: Tracy McGrady Player of the Week Honors
In the 2004-05 season, Tracy McGrady captured Player of the Week honors four times.
2005: Players with 600 Free Throws and 150 3-Pointers
In the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Gilbert Arenas made at least 600 free throws and hit 150 or more 3-pointers.
2006: Players with 600 Free Throws and 150 3-Pointers
In the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Gilbert Arenas made at least 600 free throws and hit 150 or more 3-pointers.
March 2007: Kobe Bryant scores 50 or more in consecutive games
In March 2007, Kobe Bryant was the last NBA player to score 50 or more points in consecutive games before James Harden matched that feat in December 2017.
2007: Players with 600 Free Throws and 150 3-Pointers
In the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Gilbert Arenas made at least 600 free throws and hit 150 or more 3-pointers.
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 Participates in NIT
In 2008, James Harden's Arizona State team was selected to the 2008 NIT field and defeated Alabama State and Southern Illinois before falling to defending national champion Florida.
2009: Started growing his trademark beard
In 2009, James Harden started growing his trademark beard after being too lazy to shave, which later became a defining aspect of his image.
2009: Named All-American and Drafted by the Thunder
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 in 2009, he was selected as the third overall pick in the NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
March 2010: Rodrigue Beaubois Scores 40 Points as Reserve
In March 2010, Dallas guard Rodrigue Beaubois scored 40 points as a reserve, the first since then to do so.
2010: Harden's 2010-11 Season
During the 2010-11 season, James Harden scored 10 or more points on 54 occasions.
March 6, 2011: Scored Season-High 26 Points
On March 6, 2011, James Harden scored a season-high 26 points against the Phoenix Suns.
2011: Sixth Man of the Year Award
During the 2011-12 season, James Harden 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.
October 27, 2012: Traded to Houston Rockets
On October 27, 2012, James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets along with Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich, and Lazar Hayward in exchange for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick.
October 31, 2012: Signed Contract Extension with Rockets
On October 31, 2012, James Harden signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
2012: Harden comes off the bench for the first time since 2012
After missing 18 games due to a strained hamstring, James Harden returned to action on May 12, 2012. He came off the bench for the first time since 2012.
2012: Contract Extension Offer from Thunder
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: Harden begins averaging over 25 points per game
In 2012, James Harden began consistently averaging over 25 points per game, a streak that lasted until the 2019-2020 season, solidifying his reputation as one of the NBA's most versatile and dangerous scorers.
2012: Won gold medal at the Olympics
In 2012, James Harden was a member of the United States national team that won a gold medal at the Olympics.
2012: Named NBA Sixth Man of the Year
In 2012, James Harden was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year and helped the Oklahoma City Thunder reach the NBA Finals.
2012: Trade to the Houston Rockets
In 2012, James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets for the 2012-13 NBA season. Since then, he has scored the most points in the NBA and became the all-time NBA leader in unassisted three-point makes.
2012: Named to All-NBA Third Team
In the 2012-13 NBA season, 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 Against Thunder
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, James Harden became the first player in NBA history to register at least 27 points on two or fewer field goals made against the Memphis Grizzlies.
2013: Steven Adams Drafted
In 2013, one of the first round picks from the trade that sent James Harden to the Rockets was used to draft Steven Adams.
February 5, 2014: Scored 3,000 Points with Rockets
On February 5, 2014, James Harden became 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 Against Kings
On February 25, 2014, James Harden scored a season-high 43 points in a 129–103 win over the Sacramento Kings.
2014: Led NBA in free throw attempts
In 2014, James Harden led the NBA in free throw attempts and makes every year, until the 2019-20 season. He is known for his ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line, from which he is a career 85.7% shooter.
2014: Won FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2014, James Harden was a member of the United States national team that won the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
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 Drafted
In 2014, one of the first round picks from the trade that sent James Harden to the Rockets was used to draft Mitch McGary.
2014: Criticism of defense intensifies
In early 2014, criticism of James Harden's defense intensified after a video titled "James Harden: Defensive Juggernaut" circulated online. During the 2014 offseason, he committed to improving his defense.
2014: Inaugural National Basketball Players Association MVP
James Harden was voted the inaugural National Basketball Players Association's MVP for the 2014–15 season.
April 2015: First Rocket with Two 50-Point Games
In April 2015, James Harden became the first player in Houston Rockets franchise history to have two 50-point games in a season.
August 3, 2015: Adidas endorsement deal
On August 3, 2015, the sports apparel company Adidas submitted an endorsement deal to James Harden worth $200 million over the next 13 years.
November 2015: Consecutive 43-Plus Point Games
In November 2015, James Harden became the first Houston Rocket to score 43-plus points in consecutive games since Moses Malone in the 1981-82 season.
2015: Improved defense cited for success
In 2015, James Harden's improved defense carried over from the previous season and has been cited as a major reason for the Rockets' regular season success.
2015: Career Marks in Points, Assists, and Rebounds
James Harden set career marks in points (29), assists (7.5), and rebounds (6.1) during the 2015-16 season.
July 9, 2016: Signed Contract Extension with Rockets
On July 9, 2016, James Harden signed a four-year, $118.1 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
September 2016: Harden to Play Point Guard
In September 2016, new Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni announced that James Harden would take on the point guard role to begin the 2016–17 season.
2016: Played at point guard
During the early portion of the 2016-17 season, Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni played James Harden at point guard. This resulted in him averaging over 10 assists per game for the first time in his career.
2016: Withdrew from the Olympics
In 2016, James Harden was a candidate for the Olympics, but he withdrew from the team.
December 31, 2016: Harden Records Triple-Double with 53 Points
On December 31, 2016, James Harden achieved a triple-double, scoring 53 points, providing 17 assists, and securing 16 rebounds in a 129–122 victory over the New York Knicks. This performance marked him as the first NBA player ever to reach a 50–15–15 stat line. He equaled Wilt Chamberlain's record for the most points in a triple-double, set career highs in points and three-pointers, and matched his assist record, marking his 17th career triple-double and fourth 50-point game.
July 8, 2017: Harden signs contract extension with the Rockets
On July 8, 2017, James Harden signed a four-year contract extension with the Rockets for approximately $160 million. This extension gave him a total six-year deal with $228 million guaranteed, making it the richest contract in NBA history at the time.
January 30, 2018: Harden Scores 60 Points in Triple-Double
On January 30, 2018, James Harden made NBA history by becoming the first player to score 60 points as part of a triple-double, with 10 rebounds and 11 assists, in a 114–107 win over the Orlando Magic. He also broke Houston's single-game scoring record, surpassing Calvin Murphy's 57 points from 1978.
March 20, 2018: Harden scores 57 points against the Memphis Grizzlies
On March 20, 2018, James Harden scored 57 points in a 126–125 overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, marking his seventh 50-point game of the season.
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.
July 18, 2019: Became part owner of Houston soccer teams
On July 18, 2019, James Harden became a part owner in Houston's professional soccer teams; the Houston Dynamo of MLS and the Houston Dash of NWSL, investing in his city.
October 4, 2019: Morey's tweet and Harden's apology to China
On October 4, 2019, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey issued a tweet that supported the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests. This resulted in the Chinese Basketball Association's suspension of its relationship with the Houston Rockets, and Harden later apologized to China.
October 30, 2019: Harden Scores 59 Points Against Wizards
On October 30, 2019, James Harden scored 59 points on 18–32 shooting from the field, along with nine assists, in a 159–158 win against the Washington Wizards, bringing him two points away from his career-high. This game extended his streak of having a 50-point game in 6 straight seasons.
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 after the Rockets went 3–0. Harden recorded a double-double in each game and averaged 40.7 points.
November 30, 2019: Harden Scores 60 Points Against Hawks
On November 30, 2019, James Harden achieved his fourth career 60-point game in a 158–111 win against the Atlanta Hawks, scoring a season-high 60 points along with 8 assists in 31 minutes.
December 11, 2019: Harden Scores 55 Points Against Cavaliers
On December 11, 2019, James Harden achieved his fourth 50-point game of the season, scoring 55 points on an efficient 20-of-34 field goal shooting in a 116–110 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
December 13, 2019: Harden Scores 54 Points Against Magic
On December 13, 2019, James Harden achieved his second 50-point game in a row—the third time in his career he scored back-to-back 50-point games—with 54 points on 19-of-31 field goal shooting in a 130–107 win against the Orlando Magic. In this game, Harden became the second player in NBA history to score 10+ 3PM in consecutive games.
December 21, 2019: Harden Passes Elgin Baylor for Most 40-Point Games
On December 21, 2019, James Harden surpassed Elgin Baylor for the most 40-point games in NBA history, scoring 40 points in a 139–125 win against the Phoenix Suns.
2019: Led NBA in free throw attempts
In 2019, James Harden led the NBA in free throw attempts and makes every year from the 2014-15 season until the 2019-20 season. He is known for his ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line.
July 17, 2020: Criticism and mockery for pro-police mask
On July 17, 2020, James Harden was widely criticized and mocked online for wearing a pro-police mask. Atlanta rapper Young Thug defended Harden, claiming "he don't have internet".
2020: Requested Trade from Rockets
At the beginning of the 2020-21 season, James Harden requested a trade from the Houston Rockets.
January 14, 2021: Harden traded to the 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 in the trade.
October 22, 2021: Harden passes Korver for fourth in three-pointers made
On October 22, 2021, James Harden recorded 20 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in a win against the Philadelphia 76ers, surpassing Kyle Korver for fourth place on the all-time three-pointers made list.
2021: Named Eastern Conference All-Star Reserve
In 2021, James Harden was 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.
January 15, 2022: Harden ties season-high assists in win over Pelicans
On January 15, 2022, James Harden had 27 points, 8 rebounds and tied a season-high with 15 assists in a 120–105 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
February 10, 2022: Harden traded to the Philadelphia 76ers
On February 10, 2022, James Harden was traded by the Nets with Paul Millsap to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round selections.
July 27, 2022: Harden re-signs with the 76ers
On July 27, 2022, James Harden re-signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $68.6 million deal which included a player option for the 2023–24 season.
2022: Traded to Philadelphia 76ers
At the 2022 trade deadline, James Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
November 1, 2023: Harden Acquired by Los Angeles Clippers
On November 1, 2023, the Los Angeles Clippers acquired James Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev from the 76ers in exchange for Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Robert Covington.
2023: Led League in Assists
In 2023, James Harden led the league in assists for the second time in his career.
January 26, 2024: Harden Records 75th Career Triple-Double
On January 26, 2024, James Harden achieved his 75th career triple-double, accumulating 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists in a 127–107 victory against the Toronto Raptors.
July 10, 2024: Harden Re-signs with Clippers
On July 10, 2024, James Harden re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year, $70 million contract.
November 2, 2024: Harden ties Wilt Chamberlain for seventh in career triple-doubles
On November 2, 2024, James Harden recorded his 78th career triple-double, tying Wilt Chamberlain for seventh in NBA history, as he finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists in a loss against the Phoenix Suns. He also became the 20th player in NBA history to reach 26,000 points in his career.
January 30, 2025: Harden Named 2025 NBA All-Star Reserve
On January 30, 2025, James Harden was named as reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his eleventh selection.
2025: Named to 11th All-Star Game
In 2025, James Harden was named to his 11th All-Star Game.
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