James Harden LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 01: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets celebrates a three pointer during a 122-103 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on March 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

James Harden is having a season unlike any other in NBA history, and he largely has the 3-point line to thank. In Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors, Harden reached a new milestone as the first NBA player to both score and assist on 2,000 points in a single season.

As Fox Sports’ Andrew Lynch points out, Oscar Robertson and Tiny Archibald had more assists than Harden, but their dimes could not rack up enough points because the NBA had not yet introduced the 3-point line.

Not only is Harden dishing out more than 11 assists per game, but the Rockets make close to 15 threes per game. So there’s a lot of points to be had.

Still, Harden is responsible for nearly half of Houston’s points. Considering the Rockets are 51-23 and a legitimate threat to the Warriors and Spurs in the West, that’s an impressive load Harden has carried.

Harden had a poor, 5-for-20 shooting night against the Warriors, but he still racked up 24 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his first triple-double in 10 days — which amazingly feels like an eternity for the standards he’s set.

Russell Westbrook will likely join Harden in the exclusive 2,000/2,000 club this year, which will only heighten the MVP debate. Both guys are putting up bonkers numbers, but you’d think think the Rockets being 8.5 games better than the Thunder would give Harden an edge.

With a little bit of good luck, we’ll see Harden and Westbrook go head to head in the playoffs. The Rockets will almost definitely be the No. 3 seed while the Thunder are currently No. 6.

[Fox Sports]

About Jesse Kramer

Jesse is a writer and editor for The Comeback. He has also worked for SI.com and runs The Catch and Shoot, a college basketball website based in Chicago. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow Jesse on Twitter @Jesse_Kramer.