James Harden simply cannot be stopped.
The reigning MVP of the league had another ridiculous game, posting a triple-double of 43 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in the Houston Rockets 113-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He was 8-for-19 from the field, 6-for-12 from three and 21-for-27 from the free throw line.
The Rockets have now won five in a row and 10 of their last 11 games to put themselves at 21-15, tied for fourth place in the Western Conference.
But the storyline of this one was not the Rockets' winning streak or Harden's triple-double, it's the records Harden has been smashing every time he steps on the court.
With tonight's performance Harden now holds the record for most consecutive games (8) with at least 35 points and five assists, passing Oscar Robertson.
Put it in the books!
— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2019
With 38 PTS, 11 AST so far in tonight's contest, James Harden has passed Oscar Robertson for the most consecutive games (8 games) in @NBAHistory recording 35+PTS, 5+AST! #Rockets pic.twitter.com/sieDzbOszL
He also joined elite company such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as the only players in the last 30 years to score over 400 points over a 10 game span, per Elias Sports Bureau.
400 points in a 10-game span.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 1, 2019
Only these 3 have done it in the last 30 seasons 😳 (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/EePa2JrvCK
Lastly, he matched Stephen Curry's NBA record for most consecutive games (7) with at least five made 3-pointers, which Curry set in the first seven games this season.
Harden has scored at least 40 points in four straight games and has not scored less than 30 points in a game in the last three weeks . The most insane part about this run might just be how nonchalant the NBA world has been about it.
After the contest, Harden was asked about if there is any individual records he's set out to break. Harden put the team first by stating, "I don't think so. I think just bringing a championship to the city is the most important thing. Obviously we've got a long way to go." He continued, "individually being the best player in the NBA & bringing a ‘ship to Houston.”
Harden is playing on a level higher than any other player in the league right now and if he can keep this up, he'll surely have his Rockets right back in the mix to make another run at the NBA Finals come playoff time.
