A day after saying he hadn’t yet experienced his Madison Square Garden moment, James Harden etched his name in MSG lore with a career-high 61 points in the Rockets’ 114-110 victory over the Knicks.
Harden capped the night with a breakaway dunk in the final seconds that sealed the game and tied Kobe Bryant’s record for most points by a visiting opponent at the current Madison Square Garden.
Harden finished 17-of-38 from the floor. He was only 5-of-20 from 3-point range but was 22-of-25 from the line. All 61 points were unassisted.
“In the Garden, I’ll take it,” Harden said.
Most Points at Madison Square Garden (Since 1968)
- 62 — Carmelo Anthony, Knicks | Jan. 24, 2014
- 61 — Kobe Bryant, Lakers | Feb. 2, 2009
- 61 — James Harden, Rockets | Jan. 23, 2019
- 60 — Bernard King, Knicks | Dec. 25, 1984
- 55 — Michael Jordan | March 28, 1995
- 55 — Bernard King, Knicks | Feb. 16, 1985
- 54 — Stephen Curry | Feb. 27, 2013
- 52 — LeBron James | Feb. 4, 2009
Other mind-boggling stats from Harden’s latest eruption:
– Harden reached 30 points for the 21st consecutive game … with three minutes left in the first half
– Harden has scored 261 consecutive unassisted points over the past five games, during which he has averaged 52.2 points
– Harden joins Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as only players with five 50-point games in a single season since the 1976 NBA/ABA merger
– First player in NBA history to attempt 20 3-pointers and 20 free throws
– First player with 60 points and 15 rebounds in a game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000
– First player with three 55-point games in a calendar month since Wilt Chamberlain in 1963
