Houston Rockets: Top 10 moments from James Harden’s historic season

2. The 61-point takeover vs. San Antonio

Just two days after hanging 57 points against the Grizzlies for the second time this past season, Harden constructed one of the most efficient performances ever on the way to carving out yet another offensive masterpiece.

In a mid-March I-10 rivalry showdown against the San Antonio Spurs, Harden would show that his previous 61-point performance was no fluke, matching his career-high nearly two months prior to his spectacle in Midtown Manhattan.

"“You got to appreciate it,” Rockets point guard Chris Paul told the Associated Press following Harden’s second 61-point outing on the year. “What he’s doing, that ain’t easy. I don’t care who you are.”"

Although most hoops aficionados likely had their eyes glued towards another major hoops event at the beginning of the night, Harden’s early scoring surge would prove to be more than enough to send shock waves and attention his way across social media.

In conjunction with a 14-point stretch within the last five minutes of the fourth quarter, Harden’s own version of March Madness would direct Houston’s attack on his way to finishing the game with the most points ever individually scored against a Gregg Popovich-coached team.