Game Score: 41.3
It was in a three-way tie for his seventh highest scoring effort of the season, but James Harden’s 37 points in Cleveland were part of his best Game Score of the year, thanks largely to ridiculously high shooting efficiency and an otherwise stuffed stat sheet.
In addition to heavy scoring, Harden posted 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, and only 1 turnover. He shot 9 for 15 from the floor, a scorching 5 for 8 from downtown, and a perfect 14 for 14 from the free-throw line. The resulting true shooting percentage (weighted twos, threes, and free throws) from that performance was an otherworldly 87.4%.
The most amazing thing about the Bearded One’s line is that he did it all in a mere 29 minutes played - easily the least of anyone in the top 100 Game Scores from last year.
Harden might get a bum rap for his defense, but this performance shows just how elite and special his offensive talents really are.