Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden has been a power to date on this new NBA season. With Kawhi Leonard sidelined, Harden needed to shoulder numerous accountability for the Clippers and thrived in that position. Previous to Thursday evening’s sport towards the Phoenix Suns, Harden averaged 23.5 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 11.3 assists and 1.3 steals per sport with capturing instances of 35.5/27/ 85.7.
Harden was doing his finest to extend these averages early in Thursday’s sport, and solely within the first quarter. Coming into this sport, Harden ranked second within the NBA in assists per sport (simply behind Trae Younger by 0.3 assists).
By doing a little bit little bit of the whole lot within the first quarter on Thursday, Harden made NBA historical past:
Through @TomerAzarly (h/t Basketball Reference’s StatHead): “James Harden made historical past within the 1st quarter towards the Suns: 12 factors, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks. First participant since monitoring started in 1996-97 to file these figures in 1 / 4.
James Harden made historical past within the 1st quarter towards the Suns:
12 factors
5 rebounds
7 assists
2 blocksFirst participant since monitoring started in 1996-97 to file these numbers in a single quarter.
– Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 1, 2024
Many individuals wrote off the Clippers after they misplaced Paul George, and the criticism grew louder when it was revealed that Kawhi Leonard would miss prolonged time. Harden took the chance to show that he’s nonetheless able to main a group on his personal whereas making historical past.
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