On January 12, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the Los Angeles Clippers earned a 117–109 win over the Charlotte Hornets, with James Harden guiding the sport on each ends whereas quietly including one other milestone evening to his résumé.
The Los Angeles Clippers didn’t simply beat the Charlotte Hornets. They labored by way of a sport that required persistence, belief, and management, the type of sport that tells you extra a few staff than the ultimate rating ever might. On the heart of all of it was James Harden, doing what he has accomplished all through his profession: making others higher whereas nonetheless reaching milestones of his personal.
Harden completed the evening with 32 factors and 10 assists, guiding the Clippers to a win whereas additionally passing Shaquille O’Neal for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring checklist. It was a historic second, nevertheless it by no means felt like the main target. Harden by no means let it change into one.
Management That Exhibits Up within the Particulars
There may be nonetheless a well-known critique hooked up to Harden. Some say he holds the ball too lengthy or makes questionable selections late in possessions. However that narrative is just not distinctive to him. It applies to virtually each main ball handler in at present’s NBA. Late shot clocks, aggressive defenses, and fixed accountability include danger.
What separates James Harden is intent
Even when the ball is in his arms, Harden is studying the ground, understanding the place assistance is coming from, and trusting his teammates to be prepared. His strategy is just not about controlling the sport for private acquire. It’s about organizing it so everybody can perform inside it.
That belief issues on a roster mixing stars, veterans, and younger gamers nonetheless studying their place in actual NBA minutes.
Making Room for Progress
That belief exhibits up clearly with Kobe Sanders.
Sanders is just not being rushed. He’s not being hidden both. Harden’s presence slows the sport down for him. When defenses load up on Harden, Sanders will get cleaner appears to be like, easier reads, and alternatives that really feel earned as a substitute of pressured. Confidence builds naturally.
That progress is intentional. Harden understands one thing elementary. When teammates enhance, the sport turns into simpler for everybody, together with himself.
The Zubac Impact
The identical dynamic applies to Ivica Zubac, and the numbers help it.
Earlier than Harden’s arrival, Zubac was productive however typically underutilized. He hovered round 13 factors and 9 to 10 rebounds per sport, environment friendly however steadily combating for touches in crowded possessions.
With Harden working the offense, Zubac’s position has change into clearer and extra constant. This season he’s averaging about 15 factors and 11 rebounds per sport whereas taking pictures simply over 60 % from the sector, rating him among the many best massive males within the league.
On courtroom knowledge exhibits the distinction. In video games the place Harden is on the ground, Zubac averages roughly 14.6 factors and 11.1 rebounds in comparison with underneath 10 factors and about 8 rebounds with out him. These aren’t pressured touches. They’re pocket passes, drop offs in rhythm, and finishes created by timing and area.
Harden doesn’t ask Zubac to do extra.
He permits him to do what he already does properly, extra typically.
Historical past With out Ego
Passing Shaq is the kind of milestone most gamers have a good time loudly. Harden acknowledged it, appreciated it, and stored transferring.
After the win, Harden spoke about rising up watching the gamers he’s now passing on the checklist. About being a hometown child in Los Angeles watching Kobe and the Lakers do particular issues for town. He referred to as the second particular, however his focus stayed on the group.
He talked about persistence. About determining what works sport by sport. About sticking with the method and profiting from alternatives once they current themselves.
That perspective matches how he has all the time approached the sport.
Harden has made it clear that his precedence is discovering what his teammates are good at and serving to them get higher and higher. That occurs naturally. He doesn’t want the credit score and he doesn’t need the credit score. He’s taking part in for his staff, not for himself.
The milestones are cool. They matter within the grand scheme of historical past. But when there is no such thing as a win hooked up to them, they don’t imply a lot. That’s how Harden views the sport.
Simply in Case You Didn’t Know
James Harden isn’t just climbing lists. He’s already sitting close to the highest of them.
Amongst energetic NBA gamers, Harden ranks third in whole factors with 28,614 profession factors. He’s fourth in assists with 8,604. He’s second in three pointers made with 3,291 and second in free throws made with 8,439. He’s fourth in triple doubles with 82.
Availability issues too. Harden ranks prime ten in video games performed and prime six in minutes performed amongst energetic gamers, a mirrored image of longevity in a league the place consistency has change into uncommon.
Within the win over Charlotte, Harden confirmed precisely who he’s at this stage of his profession. He can rating when wanted. He can facilitate when required. He can do each with out disrupting the move of the sport.
And whereas Harden continues to verify off milestones, his presence can also be accelerating the expansion of gamers round him. Zubac’s effectivity. Sanders’ confidence. Cleaner possessions. Higher spacing.
So if Harden retains benefiting from doing issues the best manner, it isn’t luck.
It’s the return on proper intentions.
