Harden makes history
1st to post 60-point triple-double
James Harden became the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple-double as the short-handed Houston Rockets defeated the Orlando Magic 114107 on Tuesday night.
The 60 points were also a franchise single-game record as he surpassed Calvin Murphy, who scored 57 points in 1978. Murphy was in attendance at the game as a member of the Rockets’ Root Sports television broadcasting crew.
Harden reached the 60-point milestone with a four-point play, stepping back and draining a three-pointer while being fouled by Mario Hezonja. Harden then made the free throw as the crowd rose to their feet. Murphy smiled and clapped as his scoring mark fell by the wayside.
Harden collected his 10th rebound just moments later to earn his third tripledouble this season. He made 17 of 18 free throws and was 19 of 30 from the field with five baskets from beyond the arc. He also had four steals and one block.
Harden scored 18 points in the final quarter to record his ninth career 50-point game.
“I was so locked in and focused on how I could impact the game,” Harden said.
“I was just aggressive. It was a much-needed win for us.”
NBA players took to social media to congratulate Harden.
“C’mon @JHarden13!!! Now that’s insane G! 60-point Triple Dub. Sheesh!!” wrote Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James.
Murphy tweeted, “Congratulations to @JHarden13 for breaking my record. I’ve been honored to hold the #Rockets single game scoring record for 40 years. James you are a class act!”
The previous NBA high for a triple-double was 57 points by both Michael Jordan in December 1992 and Russell Westbrook in March.
“I had 50, 52, 53 a couple of times. I didn’t know what the record was,” said Harden.
The game was tied 107-107 after a basket by Marreese Speights with just under four minutes to play. Neither team scored for more than two minutes after that, until Harden seized command, scoring six straight points to make it 113-107 with 45 seconds left.
“Amazing and topped it off with a fourpoint play at the end,” coach Mike D’Antoni said.
“But we had to have every minute from him.”
The Rockets began the contest without Chris Paul (sore groin), and Trevor Ariza (strained hamstring). Eric Gordon exited early in the second quarter with lower back stiffness.