James Harden has been named a starter for the Western Conference in the 2017 NBA All-Star game, the league announced Thursday.
It’s the Houston Rockets guard’s fifth All-Star nod and first as a starter. Harden is tied for the third-most All-Star appearances in franchise history, trailing only Hakeem Olajuwon (12 times) and Yao Ming (8 times).
Fans accounted for 50 percent of the vote with current players and a basketball media panel accounting for 25 percent each. Harden finished second among Western Conference guards in voting.
Harden ranks second in the league in scoring this season with 28.9 points per game and first in assists with 11.6 assists per game. He is averaging 28.9 points, 11.6 assists and 8.3 rebounds this season and leads the league in free throws made (400) and attempted (469) this season. Harden ranks third in the league in 3-pointers made (141) this season.
Harden has 13 triple-doubles thus far this season after having nine for his career entering 2016-17. This season, four of his triple-doubles came while scoring at least 40 points. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Oscar Robertson is the only other player in NBA history to record at least four triple-doubles while scoring 40-plus points in a single season.
The 2017 NBA All-Star game is set for 7 p.m. CT on Sunday, Feb. 19.
