Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden etched his name deeper into basketball immortality on Monday night, surpassing Shaquille O’Neal to claim the ninth spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The historic moment occurred during a dominant 32-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets at the Intuit Dome, where Harden led the Clippers to a crucial 117-109 victory.

With a signature step-back three-pointer early in the third quarter, Harden moved past O’Neal’s career total of 28,596 points. The bucket ignited the home crowd and served as a fitting milestone for one of the most prolific offensive weapons the league has ever seen. Harden, who entered the game needing just 14 points to overtake the "Diesel," wasted no time asserting his rhythm, scoring 11 points in the first quarter alone.

A Historic Night at the Intuit Dome

The atmosphere in Inglewood was electric as Harden approached the record. While the Clippers have had a rollercoaster 2025-26 season, Monday’s contest was a showcase of their veteran star's enduring brilliance. Harden finished the night with 32 points and 10 assists, orchestrating the offense with the surgical precision that has defined his 17-year career. With this performance, his career tally now sits at 28,614 points.

"It's a true honor," Harden said during the post-game press conference. "Shaquille O’Neal is somebody that I literally grew up watching here in L.A. Seeing him and Kobe doing their thing, winning multiple championships... he was the most dominant big man in the history of the game. To be mentioned in the same breath is a testament to the work I put in."

Contrasting Styles, Same Dominance

Surpassing O’Neal highlights the dramatic evolution of NBA scoring. While Shaq punished opponents in the paint with brute force and physicality, Harden has climbed the ranks through perimeter mastery, free-throw volume, and playmaking. This achievement reinforces Harden's status as one of the premier scorers of the modern era, joining a top-10 list populated by legends like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Karl Malone.

The milestone also adds another layer to Harden's resume this season. He is currently averaging 25.6 points per game—his highest scoring output since the 2019-20 season—proving that even in his late 30s, he remains a potent threat. The victory improved the Clippers' recent form, marking their eighth win in the last ten games as they fight for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

Clippers vs Hornets Highlights

Beyond the record, the game itself was a competitive affair. The Hornets, led by LaMelo Ball, kept pace early, but couldn't withstand the Clippers' second-half surge. Harden’s double-double was complemented by a solid defensive effort from the team, holding Charlotte to just 109 points. The win provides much-needed momentum for Los Angeles as they head into a tough stretch of the schedule.

The Climb Continues: Chasing Wilt

Now sitting comfortably at No. 9, all eyes turn to the next name on the list: Wilt Chamberlain. However, the gap to the "Big Dipper" is significant. Chamberlain stands at eighth with 31,419 career points. Trailing by roughly 2,800 points, Harden faces a steep climb that would likely require two more healthy, high-scoring seasons to bridge.

For now, the focus remains on the present. As the 2026 season progresses, James Harden continues to defy age and critics alike, rewriting the history books one step-back jumper at a time.