James Harden made headlines on Monday by surpassing NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal on the league’s all-time scoring list. The Los Angeles Clippers star is now in ninth place with a total of 28,597 career points, achieving this milestone during the first half of his game against the Charlotte Hornets. Harden is now setting his sights on Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the eighth position with 31,419 points.
O’Neal, a Hall of Famer renowned for his dominance on the court, will now occupy the tenth slot on this prestigious list. It’s no surprise to observe Harden climb over a giant like Shaq, given his remarkable scoring ability demonstrated in past seasons. The former league MVP had an impressive run where he averaged more than 30 points per game in three consecutive seasons from 2017 to 2020, including a staggering 36.1 points per game during the 2018-19 season. This achievement places him in elite company, alongside the likes of Michael Jordan and Chamberlain, as one of only three players to average such figures.
Now in his 17th NBA season, Harden continues to prove his prowess, maintaining an average of 24.1 points per game over his career, even while contributing as a secondary option alongside stars like Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid in previous seasons. Despite signs of aging, Harden is having a strong 2025-26 campaign, currently averaging 25.6 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. His scoring average marks his highest output since the 2019-20 season, demonstrating that his legacy as a prolific scorer remains intact.
As Harden continues to chase history, fans eagerly watch to see what further accomplishments he can achieve in his illustrious career.