James Harden posted a record fourth NBA 50-point triple-double with 50 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 126-111 win over the Lakers on Thursday, reminding everyone why he won the NBA MVP last season.
The Rockets are 13-14 on the season and placed 13th in the Western Conference, but are 2-0 against LeBron James' Lakers (17-11) this season.
"We're in a hole right now, you look at the standings and we're in the (13th) spot and it's kind of depressing," Harden told TNT after the game. "But we've got to figure it out.
"We continue to fight our way through it, then we had injuries, a lot of new players, we're trying to figure it out, but the last two games we've been playing pretty well."
Houston has now won back-to-back games over probable playoff teams in the Lakers and Trail Blazers. It handed Los Angeles just its second loss in the last eight games. James scored a team-high 29 points with five rebounds and four assists in the loss.
Studs of the Night
San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points on 12-of-14 shooting in a 125-87 win over the Clippers.
Dud of the Night
Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had trouble shooting the ball as he went one of six from beyond the arc while scoring eight points.
Highlight
Rockets forward Danuel House Jr. threw one down on the fast break.
Dirk Nowitzki set an NBA record by playing in Thursday's game against the Suns. He has now played in more seasons with one team (21) than any player in history. He also knocked down the first shot he took in typical Dirk fashion.
