James Harden makes history in Nets win over Spurs, winning seventh triple-double since trade with Brooklyn

The exhausted San Antonio Spurs gave the Brooklyn Nets all they could handle on Monday. Despite the absence of a number of key players, they managed to overcome a 10-point deficit in the 2:12 final of the settlement to force overtime. They might have lost the game there, but in all likelihood they would have won it in settlement had it not been for the heroism of James Harden. The 2018 MVP set up an absolute clinic against San Antonio, scoring 30 points, distributing 15 assists and notching 14 rebounds in the win.

The performance, statistically speaking, was historic. Harden became the first known player to post a 30-15-10 line without committing a single turnover, although individual turnover has only been tracked since the 1977-78 season. This total dominance has been an essential part of Harden since joining the Nets. Although his score has declined from the absurd levels he reached in Houston, he has averaged 11.1 assists per game in the NBA since joining the Nets to go with 8.4 rebounds per. fight.

“We have to apply the phrase ‘get used to’,” Irving said of Harden’s brilliance since joining the Nets.

“When James is James, it makes our job a lot easier,” Irving said. “And so we had to get used to someone special like that, things like that in terms of records. So I can’t wait to be by his side, my name in Nets history – and all the guys on our team where we break records as a team and then individually we stack up with some of the best players to ever play. “

This approach has paid big dividends for a Nets team that hasn’t been at full strength in quite some time. Kevin Durant has missed 11 of Brooklyn’s last 12 games, but despite a rocky start, the Nets have now won nine of their last 10 games with Harden at the helm. He has also landed seven triple doubles since moving to Brooklyn.

This put Harden, almost unthinkably, back into the MVP conversation. Known primarily for his exploits in isolation, Harden has adapted to the needs of his new team by sacrificing his own score for the sake of his teammates. The Nets are thriving as a result, and when Durant returns they can qualify for the title of best offense in NBA history.