James Harden Joins Stephen Curry as Only NBA Players to Hit 3,000 3-Pointers

James Harden has joined Stephen Curry as the only players in NBA history to reach 3,000 career three-pointers.

Harden reached the milestone during the first half of the Los Angeles Clippers' 126-122 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. He hit three three-pointers in each half, finishing with 39 points to lead the team.

"Another one of those accomplishments that you never take for granted," Harden said after the game. "The amount of work that I've put in — countless days and nights where I put the work in — a lot of people don’t see it, but the results happen, so I’m just thankful."

Harden also nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with nine rebounds and 11 assists.

The performance capped a standout week for the 35-year-old guard. On Wednesday, he scored 43 points in a road win over the Washington Wizards, marking his 100th career game with 40 or more points. He joined legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan as one of the few players to achieve such a feat.

“He had that first quarter against Washington where he reminded people, ‘Hey, I can still go out here and drop 40 on you real quick,’” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

The Clippers are 13-9 despite the absence of superstar Kawhi Leonard, who has yet to play this season due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. With Leonard sidelined and Paul George leaving as a free agent in the offseason, Harden has taken on a larger offensive role. At times, his scoring has reminded fans of his prolific years with the Houston Rockets.

Malone acknowledged Harden’s maturity as a playmaker. “He makes almost every key decision for their offense,” the coach said. “He can beat you with his playmaking as well, and that shows you the talent, that shows you the quality of his game, where he’s not solely the scorer.”

Harden has also embraced a mentoring role with the Clippers' younger players, something he says comes naturally to him. “It’s easy for me just because I’ve been in this situation for a lot of my NBA career,” he explained. “Just helping guys as much as I can to where it makes the game a lot easier for them. It’s really fun.”

Norman Powell praised Harden’s ability to set up his teammates. “It’s difficult to see from afar, but on the floor knowing when to attack, when to get his shot off, when to get the guys open, the pass that he makes. He knows how to get guys open and to get the most out of the team,” Powell said.