James Harden Achieves Milestone in NBA Scoring
In a significant milestone for his career, James Harden has ascended to the ninth position on the NBA’s all-time scoring ledger, achieving this feat against the Charlotte Hornets during a game on January 13, 2026. With a three-pointer early in the second half, Harden recorded his 28,598th career point, surpassing the legendary Shaquille O’Neal, who remains just behind him at 28,596 points.
Path to the Top Ten
Harden had entered the top ten of the scoring list just a month earlier, thanks to a free throw in December when he was playing against the Orlando Magic, allowing him to leapfrog former player Carmelo Anthony. In total, Harden achieved this new ranking in his 1,187th game, notably doing so in fewer games than O’Neal, who reached his scoring total after 1,207 matchups.
Unconventional Journey
The path to this achievement has not been conventional, as Harden spent the initial three seasons of his NBA career coming off the bench with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which makes his scoring accomplishment even more impressive. It is crucial to note that this ranking solely reflects NBA scoring; if the American Basketball Association (ABA) points were factored in, former stars like Julius Erving and Moses Malone would feature in the top ten.
Criticism and Legacy
Despite a wealth of success on the scoreboard, Harden faces criticism for his playing style, which heavily utilizes modern analytical strategies. Approximately one-third of his points have been generated from free throws and three-point shots, leading to debate regarding the aesthetic quality of his performances. Critics also highlight that Harden shares a unique distinction in the top ten as one of the only two players, alongside Karl Malone, without an NBA championship title.
Current Performance and Future Prospects
At the age of 36, Harden is still demonstrating his scoring prowess, averaging 25.6 points per game, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest offensive players in basketball history. However, the next player on the scoring list—Wilt Chamberlain—holds a commanding lead with 31,419 points, followed closely by Kevin Durant at 31,458 points. LeBron James, boasting an astounding 42,601 career points, is the only other active player among the top scorers, significantly ahead of Harden on the all-time list.
Top 10 Scorers in NBA History
As it stands, here are the current top 10 scorers in NBA history:
- LeBron James – 42,601
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 38,387
- Karl Malone – 36,928
- Kobe Bryant – 33,643
- Michael Jordan – 32,292
- Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560
- Kevin Durant – 31,458
- Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419
- James Harden – 28,598
- Shaquille O’Neal – 28,596
