Rockets' Harden records 4th career 60-point game

Houston Rockets star James Harden notched his fourth career 60-point scoring effort during Saturday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks. Harden made 16 of 24 field-goal attempts, including 8 of 14 from 3-point range, setting a record for the fewest field-goal attempts ever in a 60-point game. The previous mark was 26 by Karl Malone, who did so while scoring 61 in 1990. Harden also hit 20 of 23 free-throw attempts.

He reached 60 by knocking down three free throws with 11.5 seconds left in the third quarter. Houston led 127-73 at the end of the stanza. Harden, who has twice scored a personal-best 61 points in his career, began the fourth quarter on the bench with the Rockets comfortably ahead. He did not return, as the Rockets went on to win 158-111.

Harden's fourth 60-point outing ties him for third in NBA history with Michael Jordan. Only Wilt Chamberlain (32) and Kobe Bryant (six) have more.