HOUSTON – Houston Rockets guard James Harden was named today by the NBA as Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, Mar. 2. It marks the fourth such honor of his career (Player of the Week: 10/30/12-11/4/12, 12/31/12-1/6/13 and 3/18/13-3/24/13).
Harden (6-5, 220, Arizona State), who led Houston to 2-1 week, registered a season-high 43 points (11-20 FG, 6-9 3FG, 15-16 FT), eight dimes and three thefts in a 129-103 win at Sacramento (2/25/14). He joined Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler as the only Rockets to record at least 40 points, eight assists and three steals in a game since 1985-86. His 22 points (7-10 FG, 2-2 3FG, 6-7 FT) over the opening 12 minutes against the Kings tied for the most first-quarter points in Rockets history (22 by Kevin Martin on 12/11/10). Harden also finished with 20 points (7-16 FG), a game-high 12 assists and three steals in a 118-110 victory vs. Detroit. He now owns nine 20-point, 10-assist games in his career (Rockets record: 9-0).