With Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza out with injuries, as well as Gordon leaving in the 2nd quarter, it was all up to James Harden to lead his team to victory, and he did just that.
With just a 2-point lead and 45 seconds left, Harden hit a 3 while being fouled and then made the free-throw. The Magic wouldn't score for the rest of the game as the Rockets went on to win 114-107.
Harden finished with 60 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds to become the only player in NBA history to score 60 points and record a Triple-Double. Russell Westbrook previously had the record with 57 points in March of last year. This was also Harden's career high in points, and he now has the Rockets franchise record for points in a game. Calvin Murphy scored 57 points against New Jersey on March 18th, 1978, and that record stood for almost 40 years, until Harden broke it tonight.
James played over 46 minutes since Chris Paul was out, and Eric Gordon left early in the 2nd quarter with lower back stiffness. He also shot 19-of-30 for the night and made 17 of his 18 free throws. The closest teammate in terms of points was Clint Capela with 12. Capela also grabbed 13 boards for his 24th Double-Double of the season.
The Rockets will travel to San Antonio for Thursday night's game against the Spurs.