Russell Westbrook’s career-high 49 points last night moved him past James Harden and atop the NBA’s points-per-game leaderboard.
Nine players have ended a day leading the league in points per game. Here’s how each of their scoring progressed throughout the season:
Russell Westbrook:
James Harden:
LeBron James:
Kevin Durant:
Stephen Curry:
Blake Griffin:
Kobe Bryant:
Klay Thompson:
Marc Gasol:
When Durant gets healthy, that will cut into Westbrook’s scoring load. Likewise, Dwight Howard’s eventual return will lower Harden’s usage.
But neither Westbrook nor Harden will fade like other temporary leaders.
If forced to pick, my money would be on Westbrook. Harden should push him to the season’s end, though. And LeBron is hanging close in case either falters.