James Harden Dominates as the 2019-20 NBA Scoring Champion

James Harden had an exceptional 2019-20 NBA season, showcasing his scoring prowess. He played for the Houston Rockets and emerged as the league’s leading scorer, averaging 34.3 points per game. The season was marked by unprecedented circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a mid-season shutdown and a unique playoff format.

Remarkable Performance Highlights

One of Harden’s standout moments came on November 30, 2019, during a game against the Atlanta Hawks. He scored a remarkable 60 points, contributing to a 158-111 victory. This performance included:

• Field Goals: 16 of 24
• Three-Point Shooting: 8 of 14
• Free Throws: 20 of 23
• Assists: 8
• Rebounds: 3
• Steals: 3
• Block: 1
• Minutes Played: 31

Scoring Consistency

Throughout the season, Harden achieved several impressive scoring milestones. He recorded five games with 50 or more points. Notably:

• 59 points against the Washington Wizards
• 55 points versus the Cleveland Cavaliers
• 54 points against the Orlando Magic
• 50 points in a double-overtime game against the San Antonio Spurs

Despite the loss to the Spurs, the Rockets held a 4-1 record when Harden surpassed the 50-point mark.

Overall Season Statistics

Harden’s dominance didn’t stop at scoring. His all-around game led to impressive averages across multiple categories:

• Games Played: 68
• Assists: 7.5 per game
• Rebounds: 6.6 per game
• Steals: 1.8 per game
• Blocks: 0.9 per game
• Minutes: 36.5 per game

He also recorded 22 double-doubles and four triple-doubles, with a standout triple-double performance of 44 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 3, 2020.

Awards and Playoff Performance

Harden’s efforts earned him a spot in the 2020 All-Star Game and a place on the All-NBA First Team. He finished third in the MVP race behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. In the playoffs, Harden helped lead the Rockets to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. In 12 postseason games, he averaged:

• Points: 29.6
• Assists: 7.7
• Rebounds: 5.6
• Steals: 1.5
• Blocks: 0.8
• Shooting Percentage: 47.8% (overall), 33.3% (three-point range)

James Harden’s performance during the 2019-20 NBA season solidified his status as one of the league’s elite scorers, exemplifying skill and consistency amidst a challenging year.