Harden notches 2nd straight 40-point triple-double to lead Rockets past Hornets

James Harden continues to stake his claim to the mantle of unofficial early-season MVP, and his past two games have bolstered his case in a massive way.

After going for 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a come-from-behind win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, Harden poured in another 40, 15, and 10 to help his Rockets avoid a near-disastrous collapse against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. He's just the fourth player in history to record consecutive 40-point triple-doubles.

Harden was red-hot from deep early on, nailing five of eight 3-pointers in the first half as the Rockets built a 20-point lead going into the break. As he continued to carve up a Hornets defense that was missing one of its best wing defenders in Nic Batum, the lead held steady. Four minutes into the fourth quarter, it was still 18 points.

It was then that the Hornets, led by Kemba Walker and (of all people) Frank Kaminsky, came roaring back, embarking on a 21-2 run capped by a Kaminsky triple that gave Charlotte its first lead since the opening quarter with two-and-a-half minutes left in regulation.

That seemed to snap the Rockets out of their slumber, and Harden, as is his wont, did a little bit of everything to help them get the game back in hand. In the final two-plus minutes, he set Ryan Anderson up for a three, made two driving layups, grabbed a crucial defensive rebound, and hit a pair of free throws to ice it.

That closing stretch was the difference between an embarrassing loss and the Rockets' ninth consecutive win.