'Bearded God' Harden ranks among the top 9 highest scorers in NBA history

Putting up 32 points against the Charlotte Hornets on January 13th helped James Harden move past Shaquille O'Neal in the list of NBA's highest scorers.

The game on the afternoon of January 13th Vietnam time between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Charlotte Hornets was significant not only for team achievements but also marked a historic milestone in James Harden'scareer. Before tip-off, the Clippers were aiming for their 9th win in 11 games, while Harden needed just 14 points to overtake Shaquille O'Neal on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard.

The 1989-born star started aggressively. In the first quarter, Harden quickly scored 11 points, demonstrating his comprehensive leadership in the Clippers' gameplay. His ability to control the pace and impact both ends of the court helped the home team maintain a steady game.

The historic moment came right with his first shot of the third quarter. Harden drove the ball into the opponent’s half and nailed a three-pointer, raising his personal total to 16 points in the game. This basket officially moved him past "Big Shaq" to claim the 9th spot on the NBA’s All-Time Scorers list—a significant milestone in the nearly two-decade career of the "Bearded God".

The former Houston Rockets star finished the game with a double-double (32 points, 10 assists), alongside Kawhi Leonard (35 points), leading the Clippers to a 117-109 victory over the Hornets.

This season, James Harden has shown consistent performance. After 35 games, he averages 25.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Harden’s shooting efficiency is also impressive, with a field goal percentage of 43%, three-point shooting at 36.3%, and free throws at 89.3%.

The Los Angeles Clippers currently have a record of 15 wins and 23 losses. Although below expectations, the Los Angeles team is regaining their best form in over a month, continuing to hope for an improved standing in the Western Conference rankings.