James Harden continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest scorers the NBA has ever seen. It was apparent on Saturday night when he hit another massive milestone.

Despite the Clippers’ struggles this season, Harden delivered a vintage performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves and made history in the process, climbing into the top 10 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

James Harden Passes Carmelo Anthony for 10th All-Time in Scoring

Legion Hoops broke the news on X with a simple message:

“BREAKING: James Harden has surpassed Carmelo Anthony for No. 10 all-time on the NBA’s scoring list.”

Harden entered the game just 20 points shy of Carmelo Anthony’s 28,289 career total. In the third quarter, he knocked down a pair of free throws to officially move past the Hall of Famer and former Rockets teammate.

Harden finished with 34 points, pushing his career total to 28,303 and securing his place as the 10th-highest scorer in NBA history.

After the game, Harden reflected on the milestone with gratitude.

“No way that I got the opportunity to be a part of this list,” Harden told NBA.com’s Shaun Powell. “Man, it’s literally like a dream come true, all the work that I put in, coming to fruition. So many things this game has done for you, and I’m sure for those guys as well. Those names are still being talked about post basketball. It’s an honor to be a part of that.”

Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time All-Star and one of the league’s most accomplished bucket-getters, retired in 2022 after 19 seasons.

Harden passing him is no small achievement, especially considering the path he took to get here.

Drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009, Harden began his career as a high-level bench scorer, eventually winning the Sixth Man of the Year in 2012 as OKC reached the NBA Finals.

From there, Harden evolved into one of the most prolific offensive players of his generation — an MVP, three-time scoring champion, and an 11-time All-Star. His move into the top 10 further solidifies his resume among the league’s greatest.

Clippers Collapse Again, but Harden Remains a Bright Spot

Even with Harden’s milestone and game-high 34 points on 10-for-18 shooting, the Clippers couldn’t avoid another painful loss.

They saw an 18-point first-half lead disappear as the Timberwolves stormed back to win 109–106.

It has been a rough season for the Clippers, who now sit at 6–18, the fourth-worst record in the league. Injuries and instability have played major roles.

Kawhi Leonard missed most of November, Bradley Beal was lost for the year after just six games, and the team recently parted ways with Chris Paul. Through it all, Harden has been one of the few constants.

The 17-year veteran is averaging 26.8 points. He also set a Clippers franchise record two weeks ago, dropping 55 points in Charlotte, which is another reminder that Harden’s scoring touch remains elite.

Next on the scoring list for Harden is Shaquille O’Neal at 28,596 points, a mark well within reach if he continues at this pace. Even as the Clippers’ season spirals, Harden continues to build a legacy that will be remembered long after his playing days.