In a remarkable moment for basketball fans, James Harden has officially surpassed Shaquille O’Neal to claim the ninth spot on the NBA’s prestigious all-time scoring list.
On January 13, 2026, during a game against the Charlotte Hornets, Harden, playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, made a pivotal three-pointer early in the third quarter, which brought his career point total to an impressive 28,598. This milestone was achieved in his 1,187th regular-season game, while O'Neal’s career total stands at 28,596 points, accomplished in 1,207 games over an illustrious 19-year career.
Entering the game, Harden needed just 14 points to surpass O'Neal, and he certainly delivered, finishing the night with a total of 32 points. The Clippers emerged victorious with a score of 117-109 against the Hornets, with Harden contributing significantly throughout the game—scoring 13 points in the first half (including 11 in the first quarter), followed by 11 in the third quarter and eight in the fourth.
As of this game, Harden's scoring average has reached 25.6 points per game, marking his best performance since he averaged 34.3 points per game during the 2019-20 season, the year he clinched his third consecutive scoring title.
Currently in his 17th season, Harden started the game with a career total of 28,582 points. However, he faces a challenging path ahead; Wilt Chamberlain occupies the eighth position on the scoring list with 31,419 points, achieved in just 1,045 games spanning 14 years. Meanwhile, the all-time leading scorer is none other than LeBron James, who entered his game with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday boasting 42,601 points. Following closely behind are legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant.
In addition to his scoring achievements, Harden has also recently ascended to twelfth place on the all-time assists list. This 11-time All-Star not only demonstrates his scoring prowess but also ranks second in all-time three-pointers made, trailing only Stephen Curry.
What do you think about Harden’s climb up the scoring ladder? Do you think he’ll reach even greater heights in the history of the NBA? Let us know your thoughts!
