Kenny Atkinson Hails James Harden as 'Complete Player' After 29,000-Point Milestone
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson expressed profound admiration for James Harden after the guard achieved another significant career milestone.
On Monday night, Harden surpassed the 29,000 career point mark during the Cavs' home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, further solidifying his status as one of the most prolific scorers in modern NBA history.
Atkinson admitted that even he was taken aback by the impressive figure.
"It's a testament to his resilience," Atkinson stated. "It's incredibly difficult in this league to perform at such a high level for so long and with such consistency. This version of James we're witnessing now isn't just about scoring; I see a truly complete player."
The coach added that the in-game announcement of the milestone helped underscore the gravity of the achievement.
"When they announced it today, I was quite shocked," he confessed. "Twenty-nine thousand. Wow. Unbelievable."
Harden concluded the game with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 29 minutes, shooting an efficient 6-of-11 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
The Cavaliers displayed strong collective play in the win, with multiple players making significant contributions. Keon Ellis provided a spark off the bench with 19 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 17 points and six assists. Evan Mobley finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Dean Wade secured a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.
James Harden did not speak with reporters following the game.
Currently, the Cavaliers (40-25) are one of only seven NBA teams to have reached the 40-win threshold, with 17 regular-season games remaining.
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