Harden records 1st 15-assist triple-double in Rockets history

Days after James Harden called himself the NBA's best player - or at least the league's best point guard - the All-Star guard added another convincing piece of evidence to his case Wednesday night in San Antonio.

Though his 24 points in Houston's win over the Spurs were a season low through eight games, Harden added 15 assists and 12 rebounds, giving him the first 15-assist triple-double in Rockets history.

He did, however, commit eight turnovers for the second consecutive game and the third time in his last six contests, though it's hard to hold that against a player as ball-dominant as Harden's become under Mike D'Antoni.

The Beard's utter control of the Rockets' attack continued against the Spurs, as Harden recorded 106 touches in his game-high 40:50 minutes of action to go along with his 64 passes and 15 dimes. By comparison, no other Rocket even touched the ball 50 times, passed the ball 30 times, or recorded more than three assists Wednesday.

Perhaps the only surprise was that it was Harden's first triple-double of the season in a year when he's looking to become the first player in 44 years to average at least 30 points and 10 assists.

Harden is averaging 30.6 points, 13 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.25 steals through eight games, of which the Rockets have won five.