Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden entered the top 10 all-time scorers in NBA history, overtaking Carmelo Anthony for 10th place in the rankings on Saturday.
Unfortunately for Harden, the Clippers lost the game 109 to 106 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Needing 21 points to pass Anthony’s pregame total of 28,289 points, Harden scored 19 in the first half before surpassing him with two free throws at 4:23 of the third quarter
Just above Harden on the scoring leaderboard are Shaquille O’Neal, ninth with 28,596 points, and his former teammate Kevin Durant, eighth with 31,024 points heading into the latter’s game.
“When I see this list, it’s unbelievable,” Harden said this week of being in the top 10. “I never thought I’d have a chance to be on it. It’s a dream come true. All the work I put in is paying off. This sport has given me so much, and I’m sure it has for all these guys too. »
Harden is one of only three guards in the top 10, along with Bryant (33,643) and Jordan (32,292), who are fourth and fifth all-time, respectively.
“They were flying,” Harden said of Bryant and Jordan. “I play exclusively on the ground. So that’s another reason why I’m proud of myself, because I had to find ways around them. »
Last season, Harden passed Ray Allen for second place in all-time three-point scorers, behind Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Harden currently has 3,255 three-pointers, but he considers it unlikely he will catch Curry, who has 4,111.
Jaden McDaniels had 27 points for the locals, the leader of his team. Anthony Edwards was limited to 15 points in 37 minutes of play.
Porter and Claxton have fun against the Pelicans
Michael Porter Jr. tied his season high with 35 points, Nic Claxton had his second triple-double and the Brooklyn Nets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 119-101.
Porter tied his career high by reaching the 30-point mark for a third straight game, after doing so last year from Feb. 3-6 while in Denver. He made five three-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds.
Elsewhere in the NBA:
Atlanta 131 – Washington 116
ATL : Jalen Johnson finished the game with 30 points and 12 rebounds.
WAS : Washington has a record of three wins and 19 losses so far.
Golden State 99 – Cleveland 94
GS : Pat Spencer was the most productive for the Warriors with 19 points. Stephen Curry missed another game.
CLE : This is the second time this season that Cleveland has failed to reach the 100-point plateau in a game.
Milwaukee 112 – Detroit 124
MIL : the brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis collected seven points in five minutes of play.
IT: the Pistons have won eight of their last nine games. 23 points for Cade Cunnigham in the victory.
Sacramento 127 – Miami 111
SAC : Zach Lavine stood out with a performance of 42 points, five rebounds and an assist.
MIA : the Heat suffered a third consecutive loss.
Houston 109 – Dallas 122
NEW: Kevin Durant had 27 points, one rebound and three assists.
DAL : rookie Cooper Flagg finished the game with 19 points including two shots from downtown.
