James Harden isn't wasting any time after recently returning from COVID-19 protocols. The Brooklyn Nets took on the depleted Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night and Harden achieved another impressive milestone.
Harden recorded his 6,000th assist early in the third quarter and joined an exclusive club of elite NBA players. The Nets star became only the 10th player in league history to tally 20,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, and 6,000 assists. The other guys are pretty good too: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Gary Payton, Clyde Drexler, Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, and Jerry West (via USA Today's Michael Scotto).
James Harden now has 6,00 assists and counting. He's the 10th player in NBA history with 20,000 points, 6,000 assists and 5,000 rebounds joining Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Gary Payton, Clyde Drexler, Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, and Jerry West. pic.twitter.com/NID25BjOaY
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) December 28, 2021




Harden's celebration didn't hurt either. Although it's unclear if he knew about his milestone or he's just overly pumped up with himself.
With the Clippers now without both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Nets jumped the gun early and erected a double-digit lead at halftime. It ballooned in the third quarter with Harden running the show for the Nets, who are playing without scoring leader Kevin Durant and the soon-to-return Kyrie Irving.
While James Harden is mostly known as a scorer, he's also truly become one of the craftiest playmakers in NBA history. He is second in the league this season behind Paul with 9.6 dimes per outing prior to the Nets' game against the Clippers. He was the NBA's top assists man in the 2016-2017 season when he was with the Houston Rockets.