James Harden was an unstoppable force, while the usually stout Utah Jazz defense was anything but an immovable object.
The Houston Rockets All-Star guard lit up the NBA's third-ranked defense for a career-high 56 points - including 54 through three quarters alone - in a 137-110 victory at the Toyota Center Sunday night.
He connected on 19-of-25 (missed his last three attempts) from the field, 7-of-8 from 3-point range, and 11-of-12 from the charity stripe in 35 minutes of action.
Wilt Chamberlain is the only other player to hit 75 percent of his shots and finish with over 50 points and 10 assists.
Harden's 56 points topped his previous career high of 53 points, which he set back on Dec. 31, 2016 in a game against the New York Knicks. He fell one point shy of tying the franchise record of 57 points (Calvin Murphy, 1957-58), and the NBA's season high for 2017-18, thus far (LeBron James versus Washington Wizards).
Sunday marked Harden's third career game with at least 50 points and 10 dimes, tying former teammate Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the most in the last 30 years. His historic performance makes him the second player to score 50 or more points and dish out 13 or more assists, as well, joining Oscar Robertson.
The win improves Houston to 8-3 on the season, with James and the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers next on the docket.
