Image Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

‘Vintage’ James Harden achieves unique NBA feat with first 50-point game since 2019

James Harden recorded a unique NBA record on Wednesday.

Image Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, March 5, James Harden led the Los Angeles Clippers to a remarkable 123-115 win over the Detroit Pistons. Harden recorded 50 points, four rebounds, five assists and six three-pointers. With his stats, Harden has now achieved a unique NBA feat.

Harden has now the highest number of 50-point and 5+ three-point games with 20. Apart from him, no other player has been able to cross the 15-game mark with the same stat-line. Not only this, but Harden now jumped to fourth in having most 50-point games in the league with 24. The 35-year-old is now just one game away to take over Kobe Bryant in the third spot of the standings.

James Harden has the 4th most 50-point games in NBA history.

Only Wilt, MJ, & Kobe had more. pic.twitter.com/MMqMAkKMI6
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) March 6, 2025

Coming back to the game, the Clippers snapped their three-game losing streak. Seeded eighth in the West, they were without Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell. Needless to say, the win that came after they blew up their 23-point lead against the Suns, boosted the Clippers to carry on the momentum for the remainder of the regular season.

Apart from Harden, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 23 points, three rebounds and three assists. Ivica Zubac scored 22 points, eleven rebounds and had three assists for the side. On the rivals side, Cade Cunningham scored 37 points, seven rebounds and ten assists, while Dennis Schroder called it a night with 21 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

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“I will rest when the season is over”- James Harden’s mic-drop statement after heroic performance

As James recorded 50 points against the Pistons, he became the seventh player over the age of 35 to tally 50+ point games. Other six players on the list are Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Alex English, Jamal Crawford, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. This is not the first time he has joined the Warriors icon in a feat. Last year, James joined Stephen Curry in the 3,000 three-pointer club.

He is currently averaging 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game this season. After the game, a reporter brought up the growing conversation about him needing rest. James responded with a quick one-liner: “I’ll rest when the season’s over,” before walking off with a smile.

"I'll rest when the season's over."

James Harden had the perfect walk-off line after dropping 50 PTS in the Clippers' win 😤 pic.twitter.com/vMHg0J7qsx
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025

Notably, James has had a gameplay of 35 minutes and more in the last eight games. Having played 59 games so far this season, he is averaging 34.8 minutes per game.

The 11-time All-Star talked about his performance during the game night and said that former President Barack Obama was probably the reason he came up with a notable performance. Obama was seen sitting next to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer during the game.

Speaking about it, Harden said, “I wanted my pic with Presi after the game. He left. I guess he wanted to beat traffic. We got a pretty cool relationship. We’ve met a few times. It’s pretty cool to see him at the game. Probably the reason why I played so well.”

James will take on the court during the Clippers’ next clash on Friday, March 7.

Detroit Pistons

James Harden

Los Angeles Clippers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.