Harden cracks 60 points in 3rd quarter vs. Hawks
James Harden is scoring at will and there's nothing the Atlanta Hawks can do about it.
The Houston Rockets star dropped 60 points through three quarters against the Atlanta Hawks Saturday, securing the mark on a trio of free throws with 11.5 seconds remaining in the third frame.
It's the fourth 60-point game of Harden's career, tying him with Michael Jordan for the third-most in NBA history, courtesy of Basketball Reference. No active player has recorded more than one 60-point game, and only Kobe Bryant (six) and Wilt Chamberlain (32) have ever notched more. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard is the only other player to eclipse the milestone in a game this season.
The 2017-18 MVP poured in 29 points in the third quarter alone after scoring 31 in the first half.
After scoring 31 in the 1st half... @JHarden13 erupts for 29 3rd quarter PTS to get to 6⃣0⃣ POINTS before the 4th! #OneMission pic.twitter.com/P911psaPmS
— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2019
Harden hit 16-of-24 shots from the field (8-of-14 from 3-point range) and went 20-of-23 from the free-throw line through the first three quarters. His 24 field-goal attempts are the fewest ever taken in a 60-point game, edging Karl Malone's 26 shots against the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 27, 1990.
Fewest field-goal attempts in 60-point game
| Date | Player | Team | Opponent | FGA | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 30 2019 | James Harden | Rockets | Hawks | 24 | 60 |
| Jan. 27 1990 | Karl Malone | Jazz | Bucks | 26 | 61 |
| Jan. 30 2018 | James Harden | Rockets | Magic | 30 | 60 |
| Dec. 25 1984 | Bernard King | Knicks | Nets | 30 | 60 |
| Dec. 20 2005 | Kobe Bryant | Lakers | Mavericks | 31 | 62 |
(Source: Basketball Reference)
Harden didn't play in the fourth quarter. The Rockets didn't need him while cruising to a 158-111 win.