James Harden surpassed Carmelo Anthony to become No. 10 on the NBA all-time scorers list on Saturday night.
Harden finished with 34 points in the Clippers’ 109-106 loss to the Wolves.
“Blessing. A testament to the work I’ve put in,” Harden said after the game. “It’s an honor, especially with somebody like Melo, who’s done so much greatness for this league.”
Harden is currently at 28,303 points. Shaquille O’Neal is in ninth with 28,596 points.
Harden, who is only one of three guards in the top ten, is averaging 26.8 points on the season.
Since the stat was being tracked in the 2013-14 season, Harden has scored more than 5,100 points off stepback jumpers, over 1,000 points more than second place.
Harden then reflected upon the trade that brought him from the Thunder to the Rockets years ago.
“Life-changing,” Harden said of the trade to Houston. “What would’ve happened or what could have happened [if that trade doesn’t happen]. I probably wouldn’t have been able to be who I am, as far as creating an entire James Harden movement. I’m on my 10th signature shoe.
“All these things probably wouldn’t have happened if I was there. I possibly could have been a champion. Who knows? Possibly. But so I’m grateful.”