James Harden Surpasses Shaquille O’Neal for Ninth on All-Time Scoring List
In a significant achievement for his career, James Harden has surpassed Shaquille O’Neal to secure ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. This milestone was reached during a game against the Charlotte Hornets, where Harden hit a three-pointer early in the third quarter.
James Harden’s Scoring Milestone
Harden’s new career total stands at 28,598 points, achieved over 1,187 regular-season games. In comparison, O’Neal amassed 28,596 points in 1,207 games across 19 seasons.
Career Average and Historical Context
Entering the game with an average of 25.6 points per game, Harden is performing at his highest level since the 2019-20 season, when he averaged 34.3 points. This was the season he secured his third consecutive scoring title.
Chasing the All-Time Greats
Harden now has his sights set on the eighth position, currently held by Wilt Chamberlain with 31,419 points, recorded in just 1,045 games during his 14-year career. LeBron James leads the list with an impressive 42,601 points as of his game with the Los Angeles Lakers.
- 1st: LeBron James – 42,601 points
- 2nd: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- 3rd: Karl Malone
- 4th: Kobe Bryant
- 5th: Michael Jordan
- 6th: Dirk Nowitzki
- 7th: Kevin Durant
- 8th: Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419 points
- 9th: James Harden – 28,598 points
- 10th: Shaquille O’Neal – 28,596 points
Further Achievements
Beyond scoring, Harden is making waves in other areas. He has recently climbed to 12th place on the all-time assists list and holds the second position for three-pointers made, trailing only Stephen Curry.
As Harden continues his journey in the NBA, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as he aims to reach even greater heights in scoring and overall contributions to the game.
