James Harden's ridiculous scoring run doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon, with the Rockets guard putting in another explosive performance against the Brooklyn Nets.
Harden dropped 58 points in the 145-142 overtime loss to the Nets, making it back-to-back games with at least 55 points after giving the Memphis Grizzlies 57 points on Tuesday.
Via Stats By STATS , Harden is the first player to score at least 55 points in back-to-back games since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.
James Harden of the @HoustonRockets is the first NBA player to have consecutive 55-point games since Wilt Chamberlain did so on December 11 & 14, 1962 (61 & 63).#Rockets
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) January 17, 2019
Harden added 10 rebounds and six assists, shooting 16-of-34 from the field and 21-of-23 at the free throw line, but connected on just 5-of-19 from three-point range. The Rockets weren't shy getting their threes up, launching 70 attempts from deep, burying 23.
In the process, they broke their own record for three-point attempts, previously hoisting 61 against the New Orleans Pelicans in December 2016.
This is the 2nd time James Harden has had back-to-back 50-pt games.
— Micah Adams (@MicahAdams13) January 17, 2019
The only other players to do it more than once:
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Elgin Baylor
That's it.
He's the first guard in NBA history to ever drop 50 in back-to-back games more than once.
It's not the first time Harden has scored 50+ points in back-to-back games, after he achieved the feat in December 2017, becoming the first player since Kobe Bryant did it in 2007. Bryant managed four-straight 50 burgers in that run.
Following today's game, Harden has now scored 30 points in 18 consecutive games, scoring 40 in nine of his last 12 outings.
James Harden dropped 58 PTS and grabbed 10 REB but it wasn't enough to hold off the Nets in OT. 😱#Rockets pic.twitter.com/QnSZw3k45p
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 17, 2019
Houston drops to 25-19 on the season, while the Nets continue to make their push for a playoff berth, sitting at 23-23, for seventh-place in the Eastern Conference.
Spencer Dinwiddie was the hero for Brooklyn, converting a three-point play to put the Nets up 143-142 in OT, before Joe Harris iced the game at the free throw line.
Dinwiddie scored seven points in the overtime period, after burying three 3-pointers in the final 30 seconds of regulation to help force the extra period. He finished with 33 points and 10 assists off the bench.
