The Los Angeles Clippers’ star James Harden continues to climb the NBA’s all-time scoring list in his 17th season. On Monday, he added another record to his name, further extending his legacy.
James Harden Climbs the NBA Scoring List, Surpassing Shaquille O’Neal
The All-Star Clippers guard passed Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star Shaquille O’Neal for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list during Monday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 12.
The milestone came early in the third quarter, when Harden drilled a smooth pull-up 3-pointer with the Clippers holding a slim 53-52 lead. The shot pushed Harden’s career scoring total to 28,598 points in his 1,187th regular-season game.
O’Neal finished his legendary career with 28,596 points across 1,207 games over 19 seasons.
NBA’s official X handle celebrated the achievement with a post and the video of the moment when Harden achieved the record.
JAMES HARDEN PASSES SHAQ FOR NINTH ON THE ALL-TIME SCORING LIST 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Y0vwgaLpT0
— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2026
A video of the moment quickly circulated on social media, garnering 29,000 views, as Harden calmly knocked down the historic shot, with the broadcast highlighting the achievement.
Harden entered the night with 28,582 career points and needed 15 to move past O’Neal. He reached the mark with ease, adding another milestone to a résumé that already includes multiple scoring and assist titles.
Despite the achievement, Harden faces a significant gap before moving up another spot. Wilt Chamberlain sits eighth on the list with 31,419 points, a total he reached in just 1,045 games over 14 seasons.
LeBron James remains the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 42,601 points entering Monday’s action with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is followed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant.
Harden Shining in a Lacklustre Clippers’ Season
Harden has been productive this season for the Clippers. He is averaging 25.7 points per game, his highest scoring average since the 2019-20 season, when he led the league with 34.3 points per game and won his third straight scoring title.
In 36 appearances this season, Harden has been a steady presence for a Clippers team that struggled early. Los Angeles entered the night at 15-23, while the Hornets came in at 14-25.
The Clippers endured several losing stretches to open the 2025-26 season. However, since their Dec. 20 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, they have stabilized, winning 10 of their last 12 games.
Harden has played a significant role in that turnaround. He ranks second on the team in scoring behind Kawhi Leonard and leads the Clippers in assists at 7.9 per game.
The 11-time All-Star joined the Clippers in a blockbuster trade from the Philadelphia 76ers in October 2023. Since then, he has continued to add to his legacy as one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.
Monday night’s milestone was another reminder that even late into his career, Harden remains a major force and a fixture in the NBA record books. Clipper won the game 117-109 vs. the Hornets. Harden finished with 32 points.
