PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game
Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) gives a thumbs up against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season.
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PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game
Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) gives a thumbs up against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Houston. (AP
... more
Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press
PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game
Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) gives a thumbs up against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season.
lessPHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game
Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) gives a thumbs up against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Houston. (AP
... morePhoto: David J. Phillip/Associated Press
Rockets guard James Harden went into Wednesday's game 36 points shy of moving past Rudy Tomjanovich for third in scoring in Rockets' history, on pace to catch Calvin Murphy in the 2020-21 season for second place behind all-time franchise leader Hakeem Olajuwon.
He finished the game with a season-high 43 points to surpass Tomjanovich on the franchise all-time scoring list.
Murphy, however, said he has enjoyed watching Harden's move on his records – Harden broke Murphy's single-game franchise scoring record last season when he had 60 points against the Magic – because it offers reminders of his and Tomjanovich's time in the league.
"It's inevitable," Murphy said. "It's his show. He's a very, very talented man. It's going to happen. I'm just pleased that it lasted so long. None of these records meant anything until James started coming after them. I appreciate that he's taking us along for the ride. Just like my first free throw record (for consecutive made free throws) until Larry Bird went after it. It keeps me alive. I appreciate that."
Bird failed to break Murphy's then-record of 78 consecutive made free throws, missing in Houston. Former Timberwolves guard Michael Williams broke the record, making 97 straight. Though Murphy proudly heckled both, he said he enjoys when current players chase his records.
"We didn't have the TV and the hype they have now," Murphy said. "People don't know people like Archie Clark, who gave me my first baptism into this game. They talk about shooters; Downtown Freddie Brown. They don't know his name. Hal Grier was the first middle-distance genius who taught me my middle-distance game. They know Oscar Robertson, Jerry West. But back when there were 16 teams, people didn't know how good you had to be to be in this league.
"James is going to break records here. That's all right. Someone will come around and someday break his."
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