James Harden

Over the six-minute span to begin November 17, 2024’s game, James Harden — as if crossing a checklist — had already, on multiple occasions, broken down both the Utah Jazz’s defense, and an ankle or two through a decisive drive. And yet, for as thrilling as that was, anyone with a pulse on the L.A. Clippers knew that the “celebration” couldn’t officially begin until one final seal had been broken: the NBA’s all-time record for the second-most 3-pointers. Clearing the hurdle a half-quarter in, the Springfield-bound scoring machine tests the Utah Jazz’s defensive discipline through a pick-and-roll, ultimately turning their lack of communication into a pull-up triple, alongside a subsequent name call over the arena’s loudspeakers. The trifecta — No. 2,874 of Harden’s decorated career — allowed the opportunity to leapfrog a smooth-shooting Hall of Famer of the past decade, a celebrated sniper known to many by the nickname “Jesus Shuttlesworth.” Soon pairing his individually-excellent moment with a team victory, Harden concluded the milestone night with 20 points (on 7-of-14 shooting), six rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, two blocks, two 3-pointers, and a +9 plus-minus.