James Harden, a name synonymous with crafty scoring and step-back threes, has etched his name deeper into NBA history. On Friday night, the Los Angeles Clippers star tied Hall of Famer Ray Allen for second place on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers made list with 2,973 career makes. Now, only one name stands above him—Stephen Curry, the “superhuman” marksman revolutionizing the game.
Harden’s Humble Brag on Curry
While Harden’s achievement is monumental, the former MVP was quick to downplay his position relative to Curry. Earlier this season, when ESPN’s Shams Charania mentioned Harden would trail only Curry after surpassing Allen, Harden quipped with a cheeky response.
“Let’s be real,” Harden said. “Steph’s in a league of his own. That’s not even a fair comparison.” Harden humorously crowned himself as the best mortal shooter in NBA history, leaving Curry in a stratosphere untouched by mere humans.
Curry, who has already made 3,782 career triples, is well on his way to shattering the 4,000-mark before retiring. Harden, meanwhile, is likely to eclipse Allen’s total soon, potentially as early as Sunday when the Clippers face the Warriors.
Harden’s Historic Night
In the Clippers’ 123-118 loss to the Houston Rockets, Harden dropped 21 points, including three three-pointers to match Allen’s total. His ability to consistently knock down triples over the years—combined with his high-volume shooting—cements him as one of the game’s most prolific deep threats.
However, Harden’s journey to the top of the leaderboard comes with a stark contrast to Curry. While Curry’s numbers are a testament to precision and efficiency, Harden’s have been a byproduct of relentless shot creation and volume. Yet both styles have left an indelible mark on the league.
Stephen Curry: Untouchable at the Top
Meanwhile, Curry continues to redefine what’s possible from beyond the arc. The Golden State Warriors, now 10-2, are firing on all cylinders, and Curry’s influence is as evident as ever—even when he’s not the primary contributor.
In Friday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Curry played just 26 minutes, scoring 13 points with three triples, before sitting out the fourth quarter. The Warriors’ young core closed out the game, showcasing the depth that complements Curry’s star power. Despite his lighter load, Curry remains an unstoppable force, with his record so far ahead of the competition that no one is catching him anytime soon.
The Road Ahead for Harden
As the Clippers prepare to face the Warriors next at the Intuit Dome, Harden has the opportunity to surpass Allen and officially claim sole possession of the second spot on the all-time leaderboard. However, he’ll still look up at Curry—a player Harden himself has acknowledged as “inhuman.”
With both players continuing to shape the league’s future and legacy, Harden’s climb and Curry’s dominance serve as a testament to how the three-point shot has evolved from a niche skill to the cornerstone of modern basketball.
The world will be watching as Harden cements his place in history—just behind a legend redefining it.
