History of James Harden in Timeline
James Harden is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is considered one of the NBA's greatest shooting guards and scorers. Known for his distinctive beard and nicknamed "the Beard," Harden was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He has won two gold medals representing the United States in international competition, at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
1978: Reference to Calvin Murphy's record
On January 30, James Harden scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to eclipse the 57 points Calvin Murphy scored in 1978 to break Houston's single-game scoring record.
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.
March 2007: Reference to Kobe Bryant's streak
In December 2017, Harden had consecutive 50-point games, becoming the first NBA player to score 50 or more in consecutive games since Kobe Bryant did so in four straight games in March 2007.
November 30, 2008: Career-High 40 Points
On November 30, 2008, James Harden scored a career-high 40 points in an 88–58 victory over UTEP while playing for Arizona State.
2009: Harden starts growing his trademark beard
In 2009, James Harden began growing his signature beard simply out of laziness to shave. This beard later appeared in songs, on T-shirts, and led to endorsements, including a candy by Trolli featuring his likeness.
2009: Declared for the NBA Draft
In 2009, after a successful sophomore season, James Harden declared for the 2009 NBA draft and hired Rob Pelinka as his agent.
January 1, 2010: Reference to decade scoring
James Harden finished the decade as the NBA's leading scorer with 19,578 points going back to January 1, 2010.
March 6, 2011: Season-High 26 Points
On March 6, 2011, James Harden scored a season-high 26 points against the Phoenix Suns during the 2010-11 season.
April 18, 2012: Season-High 40 Points
On April 18, 2012, James Harden scored a season-high 40 points against Phoenix, becoming the first NBA player in a reserve role to score 40 points since Dallas guard Rodrigue Beaubois in March 2010.
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 after being traded to the team.
2012: Harden's scoring prowess
From the 2012–13 season to the 2019-2020 season, James Harden averaged over 25 points per game.
2012: Harden wins 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: Harden's scoring since joining the Rockets
Since his trade to the Houston Rockets in the 2012-13 NBA season, James Harden has scored the most points in the NBA.
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: Career-High 46 Points Against Former Team
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: Record-Breaking Free Throw Performance
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 (2-9 FG) against the Memphis Grizzlies, finishing with a career best 22-of-25 from the free throw line.
February 5, 2014: Scored 3,000 Points With The Rockets
On February 5, 2014, James Harden became just the third player to score at least 3,000 points in his first 120 games played with the Rockets, joining Elvin Hayes and Tracy McGrady.
February 25, 2014: 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: Harden led the NBA in free throw attempts
From the 2014–15 NBA season until the 2019–20 season, James Harden led the NBA in free throw attempts and makes every year.
2014: Harden wins FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2014, James Harden was a member of the United States team that won the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
2014: Criticism of Harden's defense intensifies
In early 2014, criticism of James Harden's defense intensified, marked by a viral video showcasing his defensive lapses. Harden then committed to improving his defense.
April 2015: First Player 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. He also helped the Rockets win their first division title since 1994.
August 3, 2015: Harden signs endorsement deal with Adidas
On August 3, 2015, James Harden signed a 13-year, $200 million endorsement deal with Adidas, the sports apparel company.
November 2015: Scored 43+ Points in Consecutive Games
In November 2015, James Harden became the first Houston Rockets player to score 43-plus points in consecutive games since Moses Malone in the 1981-82 season.
2015: Harden's improved defense
In 2015, James Harden's improved defense was noted as a major reason for the Houston Rockets' regular season success.
July 9, 2016: Signed contract extension with the Rockets
On July 9, 2016, James Harden signed a four-year, $118.1 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
September 2016: Named point guard for the Rockets
In September 2016, the Rockets' new head coach, Mike D'Antoni, announced that James Harden would take on the point guard role to begin the 2016-17 season.
2016: Harden played at point guard for the Rockets
During the early portion of the 2016–17 NBA season, James Harden played at point guard for the Rockets, which resulted in him averaging over 10 assists per game for the first time in his career.
2016: Harden withdraws from Olympics
In 2016, James Harden withdrew as a candidate from the Olympics team.
December 31, 2016: Recorded triple-double with 53 points
On December 31, 2016, James Harden recorded a triple-double with 53 points, 17 assists, and 16 rebounds in a 129–122 win over the New York Knicks, becoming the first player in NBA history to finish with a 50–15–15 stat line.
July 8, 2017: Signed contract extension with the Rockets
On July 8, 2017, James Harden signed a four-year contract extension with the Rockets for approximately $160 million, making it a total six-year deal with $228 million guaranteed, the richest contract in NBA history.
2017: Named NBA Most Valuable Player
In June 2018, James Harden was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2017-18 season.
2018: NBA MVP Award
In 2018, James Harden was named the NBA Most Valuable Player while playing for the Houston Rockets, also leading the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals that year.
July 18, 2019: Harden becomes part owner of Houston soccer teams
On July 18, 2019, James Harden became a part owner in Houston's professional soccer teams, specifically the Houston Dynamo of MLS and the Houston Dash of NWSL, citing his investment in the city.
October 4, 2019: Morey's Tweet and Harden's Apology to China
On October 4, 2019, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey's tweet supporting the Hong Kong protests led to the Chinese Basketball Association suspending its relationship with the Houston Rockets. Following this, James Harden apologized to China.
October 30, 2019: Scored 59 points against the Washington Wizards
On October 30, 2019, James Harden scored 59 points against the Washington Wizards, extending his streak of having a 50-point game in 6 straight seasons.
November 11, 2019: 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 recording a double-double in each game and averaging 40.7 points.
November 30, 2019: Scored 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks
On November 30, 2019, James Harden scored a season-high 60 points along with 8 assists in 31 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks.
December 11, 2019: Scored 55 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers
On December 11, 2019, James Harden scored 55 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
December 13, 2019: Scored 54 points against the Orlando Magic
On December 13, 2019, James Harden scored 54 points against the Orlando Magic, marking his second 50-point game in a row.
December 21, 2019: Passed Elgin Baylor for most 40-point games in NBA history
On December 21, 2019, James Harden passed Elgin Baylor for most 40-point games in NBA history, scoring 40 points in a win against the Phoenix Suns.
2019: Harden's scoring prowess
From the 2012–13 season to the 2019-2020 season, James Harden averaged over 25 points per game.
2019: Harden led the NBA in free throw attempts
From the 2014–15 NBA season until the 2019–20 season, James Harden led the NBA in free throw attempts and makes every year.
July 17, 2020: Harden criticized for wearing pro-police mask
On July 17, 2020, James Harden faced widespread criticism for wearing a pro-police mask, seen as related to white supremacy. Rapper Young Thug defended Harden, claiming he was unaware of the controversy, which became an internet meme.
2020: Harden's scoring prowess
From the 2012–13 season to the 2019-2020 season, James Harden averaged over 25 points per game.
2020: Harden withdraws from Olympics due to injury
In 2020, James Harden withdrew from consideration for the Olympics team due to a hamstring injury sustained during the postseason.
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.
February 10, 2022: Harden traded to the 76ers
On February 10, 2022, the Nets traded James Harden and Paul Millsap to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round selections.
July 27, 2022: Harden re-signed with the 76ers
On July 27, 2022, James Harden re-signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $68.6 million deal, including a player option for the 2023–24 season.
November 1, 2023: Harden acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers
On November 1, 2023, James Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev were acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers from the 76ers for Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Robert Covington. The Clippers also dealt a first-round pick, two second-round picks, a pick swap, and cash considerations to the 76ers, and a pick swap and cash considerations to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden reunited with Russell Westbrook for the second time in their careers.
January 26, 2024: Harden logs 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: 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 logs his 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 in a 125–119 loss against the Phoenix Suns. He also reached 26,000 career points, becoming the 20th player in NBA history to do so.
January 30, 2025: Harden named All-Star reserve
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: Harden Re-signs with the Clippers
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.
November 10, 2025: Harden posts triple-double in loss to Hawks
On November 10, 2025, James Harden recorded a triple-double with 35 points (19 in the fourth quarter), 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. However, the Clippers lost to the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 105–102.
2025: 11th All-Star Game
In 2025, James Harden was named to his 11th All-Star Game while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.
February 4, 2026: Harden acquired by the Cavaliers
On February 4, 2026, James Harden was traded from the Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick.
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