James Harden's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of James Harden.

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."

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

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.

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.

February 1991: Sleepy Floyd's Rockets Record

In February 1991, Sleepy Floyd made 22 free throws for the Rockets, tying the single-game record.

1994: Rockets Win Division Title

In 2015, James Harden helped the Houston Rockets win their first division title since 1994.

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.

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: AAU Team Won Adidas Super 64 Championship

In 2006, James Harden helped his AAU team, Pump-N-Run Elite, win the Las Vegas Adidas Super 64 championship, scoring 34 points in the victory.

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.

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.

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.

2009: Named Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Year and Declared for NBA Draft

In 2009, James Harden was named the Pacific-10 Conference's Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. After Arizona State's season ended with a loss in the NCAA tournament, Harden declared for the 2009 NBA draft.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

2015: Turnover Record

In the 2015-16 season, James Harden set a record for turnovers, surpassing Artis Gilmore's mark of 366.

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.

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: 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.

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 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.

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

2023: Led the League in Assists

In 2023, James Harden led the league in assists for the second time in his career.

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.

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.