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[Saba Sports News] James Harden has taken on a significant workload during the first half of the 2024-25 NBA season, stepping into a leadership role for the L.A. Clippers amidst Kawhi Leonard’s ongoing injury struggles.
Surrounded by an improved group of defensive-minded role players, Harden has been the driving force for Ty Lue’s team.
The 35-year-old former MVP is delivering All-Star-level performances, averaging 21.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game. However, his heavy usage has slightly affected his efficiency, with shooting splits of 39.8% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range.
On Sunday, Harden climbed to 14th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Oscar Robertson with 26,721 career points.
He now trails Hakeem Olajuwon (13th) by 225 points and Carmelo Anthony (10th) by 1,568 points. If Harden maintains his current scoring average, he could crack the top 10 in approximately 73 or 74 games.
This milestone provides Harden with an individual goal to chase, but scoring is only one dimension of his game. His playmaking remains elite, ranking him 14th on the all-time assists leaderboard with 7,944 assists. Harden’s consistent contributions are flying under the radar largely due to the Clippers being overshadowed in the league conversation.
Despite this, the Clippers currently boast the NBA’s second-best defense and are fifth in the Western Conference standings.
While the Clippers’ offense ranks 22nd in the league, largely due to the team’s heliocentric reliance on Harden, his ability to excel in such a system underscores his stellar season. As of Jan. 16, Harden was sixth in All-Star voting, and his play warrants what would be the 11th All-Star selection of his career.
With Leonard now back in the lineup, Harden could elevate his production even further. Regardless, his ability to perform at this level in his mid-30s solidifies his status as a future Hall of Famer and a player still capable of leading a team to contention.
The Clippers will undoubtedly look to Harden to help push for a championship as the season progresses.