James Harden is now in his 17th NBA season and his third year with the Los Angeles Clippers. With more than a decade of experience behind him, the veteran guard knows all too well that sustaining a long career in the league is not simple. Playing through the grind of an 82-game regular season, followed by the physical and mental toll of the playoffs, requires constant dedication and elite conditioning.
Following the Clippers’ 117–109 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, Harden reflected on the challenge of longevity. The Clippers star made sure to acknowledge fellow superstars LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook during his postgame remarks.
“I work my butt off. You don’t understand how hard it is to work and the longevity of it. It’s a handful of guys who understand it and know it. A couple of them are still playing at a high level, which is a beautiful thing to see… Cherish it. Embrace it. Love it. Because once it’s over, it’s over.
James Harden shouted out LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook when talking about longevity.
“I work my butt off. You don’t understand how hard it is to work and the longevity of it. It’s a handful of guys who understand it and know it. A couple of them… pic.twitter.com/V7L8IJfNR7
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) January 13, 2026
“You watch guys like Bron, Steph, KD, Russ do their thing at the highest level still at our age. It’s a beautiful thing to see. It’s a testament to those guys and the work they put in, and we’ve put in, to be able to still doing it this long.”
Among the names Harden mentioned, LeBron James stands above the rest in terms of career length. King James is currently competing in his 23rd NBA season, surpassing Vince Carter’s historic 22-season run.
Apart from LeBron, legends such as Robert Parish, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Willis, and Chris Paul have also demonstrated remarkable durability. Each of them played at a high level for more than two decades. Among them, Paul is the only active player.
Historic Night for James Harden Draws Emotional Praise From Kawhi Leonard
In Monday’s game, James Harden etched his name deeper into NBA history by passing Shaquille O’Neal for ninth place on the league’s all-time scoring list. After the game, Kawhi Leonard heaped high praise on his teammate.
“It’s amazing to hear. Where he came from, his upbringing,” Leonard said. “Showing how much hard work. He’s an inspiration for the youth out here. Knowing that if you work hard, you can get there one day. Just stay focused on the daily grind. Through all the ups and downs and everything. It’s very hard. Congratulations to him.”
The Intuit Dome crowd rose to acknowledge James Harden moments after he drilled the milestone three-pointer. He closed the game with 32 points, shooting 11-for-28 from the field, including 3-for-11 from long range, while adding four rebounds and 10 assists.
Leonard also played a major role in the victory. He recorded 35 points, pulled down five rebounds, and knocked down five three-pointers. The win lifted the Clippers’ record to 16–23 on the season.
