This was published 7 years ago
James Harden produces an NBA record triple-double as Houston Rockets down the New York Knicks
James Harden has produced a NBA record 53 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat the short-handed New York Knicks 129-122.
MVP contender Harden became the first player to register more than 50 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds in an NBA game, according to the Rockets.
Houston Rockets guard James Harden produced a record triple double against the New York Knicks. Credit: AP
The 27-year-old point guard also set personal career highs for points scored and three-pointers (nine) and matched his career best for assists.
He passed his previous career best of 51 points on a three with 1:16 left, leading to a standing ovation from his home crowd.
The bearded Harden's phenomenal haul came just one day after he scored 30 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and five steals in a win of over the LA Clippers.
Earlier, LeBron James scored 17 of his 32 points in the first quarter in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 121-109 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
Kevin Love added 28 points and 10 rebounds for defending champions Cleveland, who played without Kyrie Irving after the point guard injured his right hamstring during Thursday's 124-118 NBA victory over Boston.
James was six from seven from the field in the first quarter, including a perfect three straight from beyond the arc while Love scored 15 points in the second, helping Cleveland to a 71-59 lead at the break on Saturday.
In Sacramento, Mike Conley had 22 points and eight rebounds, helping the Memphis Grizzlies to a 112-98 NBA win over the Kings.
JaMychal Green made four of Memphis' 17 three-pointers and finished with 18 points.
Marc Gasol left the court after tweaking his ankle in the third quarter but the Grizzlies said the centre's injury was minor.
In Chicago, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points, Jabari Parker added 27 and the Milwaukee Bucks used a huge fourth quarter to beat the Bulls 116-96.
The Bucks outscored the Bulls 36-20 in the fourth to break open a tight game and came away with a lopsided win after dropping four of six.
Milwaukee's starting point guard Matthew Dellavedova missed the game due to a strained hamstring but the Australian is expected to be right to face Oklahoma on Monday.
With Dellavedova out, Malcolm Brogdon started his second game in a row.
Russell Westbrook collected his 16th triple-double of the season to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-88 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
While Utah defeated Phoenix 91-86 with Australian Joe Ingles scoring nine points for the Jazz.
AAP