All-Star Moment of the Day: James Harden takes over fourth quarter, finishes with 55 points in win over Cavs

Benyam Kidane

All-Star Moment of the Day: James Harden takes over fourth quarter, finishes with 55 points in win over Cavs image

Thursday's All-Star Moment of the Day belongs to James Harden after yet another scoring outburst. 

Harden exploded for 55 points on 20-of-34 from the field and 10-of-18 from the three-point line, tying his career-high for three-pointers made in a game, to lead the Houston Rockets to a 116-110 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The Rockets needed every one of those points as the Cavs mounted a furious comeback, opening the fourth quarter on a 17-0 run to take a 99-88 lead with 8:10 left.

The NBA's leading scorer poured in 20 of his 55 in the final frame to steady the ship as the Rockets squeezed out a narrow in on the road.

#Harden

Often lambasted for his residence at the charity stripe, Harden only shot five free throws today (making all of them) and was efficient across the board. 

#Harden

Harden is now averaging 38.7 points per game, 7.8 per game more than Giannis Antetokunmpo in second place. Today was Harden's fourth game with 50+ points this season and while scoring 50+ is no easy feat, even is head coach Mike D'Antoni isn't even surprised anymore.

"I've become used to it, I mean if it was the first time it's be 'oh wow look at that' but he done it for...this is my fourth year and he's done it for four years," D'Antoni said post-game.

"The moment gets big, he gets bigger and he's incredible, no doubt"

The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its clubs.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.