Honestly, the way people talk about James Harden these days, you’d think he was some kind of relic from a bygone era of "iso-ball" that doesn't work anymore. But if you actually look at the James Harden NBA stats from this 2025-26 season, the guy is still doing things that most All-Stars can only dream of. Just a few days ago, on January 12, 2026, he hit a step-back three against the Charlotte Hornets that pushed him past Shaquille O’Neal for ninth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Think about that. A 6'5" guard passing the most dominant big man ever in total points.
It’s kinda wild.
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We’re watching a guy who has completely evolved from the "System" in Houston to a savvy, floor-mapping general for the Los Angeles Clippers. He isn't just "The Beard" anymore; he's a historical landmark in sneakers.
The 2025-26 Reality Check
Most critics expected Harden to fall off a cliff once he hit his mid-30s. He’s 36 now. Instead, he’s out here averaging roughly 25.8 points and 8.0 assists per game through the first half of the season. His efficiency is actually holding up better than people give him credit for, shooting about 42.3% from the field and a solid 35.6% from deep. He’s basically the engine for a Clippers team that’s been surging lately, winning 10 of their last 12 games.
When Kawhi Leonard was sidelined with that ankle issue recently, Harden didn't just "fill in." He dropped 31 points and 10 assists on the Raptors in an overtime thriller on January 16. That’s the thing about Harden’s game—it’s built on leverage and IQ, which don't age as fast as pure verticality. He still gets to the line almost at will, hitting 90% of his free throws this year. You might hate the whistle-hunting, but you can't argue with the scoreboard.
Climbing the All-Time Ranks
The milestone he hit against Charlotte—passing Shaq—is just the tip of the iceberg. As of mid-January 2026, James Harden sits at 28,614 career points. To put that in perspective, he’s now chasing Wilt Chamberlain for the number eight spot. Wilt has 31,419. It’s a steep climb, but if Harden plays another couple of seasons at this level, he’s got a legitimate shot at the top five.
Then there’s the playmaking. People forget he’s a two-time assist leader.
Harden recently moved up to 12th on the all-time assists list with over 8,600 dimes. He’s one of the few players in league history who could realistically finish his career in the top 10 for both points and assists. He also currently holds the second spot for all-time three-pointers made, trailing only Stephen Curry. It’s a resume that looks more like a video game cheat code than a real person's career.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Stats
The biggest misconception is that Harden is a "stat stuffer" who doesn't contribute to winning. If you look at his James Harden NBA stats through the lens of advanced metrics, the narrative shifts. His Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is still hovering around 23.6 this season. That is elite.
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He’s also the king of the 50-point triple-double. He’s done it five times. Nobody else is even close.
- Total Career Triple-Doubles: 82 (8th all-time)
- Career Scoring Average: 24.1 PPG
- Free Throw Consistency: Career 86.1%
- Peak Season: 36.1 PPG in 2018-19
He’s currently playing about 35.6 minutes a night. At 36 years old, that’s a massive workload. Most guys his age are specialists or coming off the bench for 15 minutes. Harden is still a primary option, initiating the pick-and-roll with Ivica Zubac or finding open shooters like Luke Kennard.
The Longevity Factor
We have to talk about how he’s stayed relevant. Usually, when a guard loses that first-step burst, they disappear. Harden compensated by becoming one of the best post-defending guards in the league—seriously, look at the tracking data—and by mastering the art of the "slow-down" game. He uses his frame to shield defenders and his vision to exploit rotations before they even happen.
He’s played over 1,180 regular-season games. That’s a lot of mileage. Yet, he’s still appearing in 70+ games a year lately, proving the "unreliable" narrative might be a bit overblown. His 2024-25 season saw him play 79 games, his most since the Houston days.
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Assessing the Legacy
If you’re looking for a flaw, it’s always going to be the postseason shooting dips. It’s the elephant in the room. But when we talk about the regular season James Harden NBA stats, we are talking about one of the five greatest offensive forces to ever pick up a basketball. He changed how the game is officiated. He changed how the step-back is taught. He even changed how teams defend the perimeter.
He’s an 11-time All-Star, an MVP, a 3-time scoring champ, and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Stop ignoring the playmaking: Don't just look at the points. His assist-to-turnover ratio has actually improved as he’s matured, making him a much more "trustworthy" late-game facilitator than he was in his 30-shot-a-game era.
- Watch the milestones: He is currently 9th in points, 12th in assists, and 2nd in threes. Every game he plays for the rest of his career is essentially a history lesson.
- Appreciate the shift: The Clippers version of Harden is more of a "floor general" than a "scoring machine." If you’re betting on him or playing fantasy, look for the double-doubles (points/assists) rather than the 50-point outbursts.
- The Wilt Watch: Keep an eye on the 31,419 mark. If he stays healthy, he could reach Chamberlain by late 2027.
Harden’s story isn't over yet. Whether you love the style or find it frustrating, the numbers don't lie. He’s been a top-tier producer for 17 seasons, and based on the way he's playing in 2026, he’s not done climbing those all-time leaderboards quite yet.