On Sunday, James Harden made NBA history by passing Ray Allen for second All-Time in three-pointers. He tallied 20 points and 11 assists to help lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 116-105 win over the Utah Jazz at Intuit Dome.
“Unbelievable accomplishment,” said Harden. “Just a testament to the amount of work that I’ve been putting in. As I get older and just chip away at an unbelievable career, start to accomplish things like that. So I don’t ever want to take it for granted. I just want to give motivation to the youth and every other person that’s chasing a dream to play professional basketball or whatever it is. So it’s an honor.”
The Clippers (7-7) snapped a three-game losing streak with the win while the Jazz fell to 3-10 on the season with the loss.
Harden made his 2,874th three with 6:08 left in the first quarter as Los Angeles jumped out to a 35-25 lead.
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“I mean, to be a scorer, the way he can score at all three levels and then be second all time in three-pointers made is crazy,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Being a two-guard when he came into the league and then [he] transitioned to a point guard his whole career, like I said, it’s been great. And, so, to be second all time, that’s a crazy stat, a crazy accomplishment and I’m just happy for him.”
The 10-time All-Star and three-time scoring champ gave credit to his former teammates in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook for paving the way while they were a part of the OKC Thunder.
“They set the blueprint,” Harden said. “When I got there they had the blueprint of how to work… So all I did was just fall right in line… Those three years really helped me in my NBA career… From that point on, I was so comfortable and confident in myself. When I got traded to Houston, I knew I was gonna be successful… Shoutout to KD, shoutout to Russ, and the whole Oklahoma City organization.”
Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Stephen Curry currently sits at 3,782 career three-point makes and Harden acknowledged that record most likely will not ever be broken.
“I’m one of the most confident guys that we have in this league. But no. I probably won’t catch Steph. I don’t think anybody will… He can shoot the s*** outta the ball,” Harden said.
Ivica Zubac finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds and Norman Powell added 18 points for Los Angeles, who forced Utah into 19 turnovers.
The Clippers had no problem controlling the game by gaining a 66-45 halftime lead.
Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 21 points and Lauri Markkanen finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Clippers led by as many as 23 (99-76) after Terance Mann made a three-pointer less than one minute into the fourth period.
Utah threatened late by cutting their deficit to seven points after a Clarkson three-pointer with 3:18 left in the fourth but the Clippers went on to capture their fourth consecutive home win.
