Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden joins 40-point club

James Harden scored 40 points Wednesday night as the Thunder beat Phoenix, and now the Boomers have three players who have reached 40 points in a game this season. Kevin Durant has reached 40 four times (with a high of 51 vs. Denver on Feb. 19) and Russell Westbrook has reached 40 twice (with a high of 45 vs. Minnesota on March 23).

How often does a team have three players reach 40 points in a game during the season? A little less than once per year, on average. It’s happened five times in the last six seasons, according to those crack statisticians at the Elias Sports Bureau. Here are the other four teams:

2009-10 Warriors: Stephen Curry (high of 42), Monta Ellis (46), C.J. Watson (40).

2008-09 Suns: Leandro Barbosa (41), Shaquille O’Neal (45), Amar’e Stoudemire (49).

2007-08 Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony (49), Allen Iverson (51), Linas Kleiza (41), J.R. Smith (43).

2006-07 Knickerbockers: Jamal Crawford (52), Eddy Curry (43), Stephon Marbury (43).

As you can see, the 2007-08 Nuggets had four players reach 40 points. Which the Thunder is not likely to match. Serge Ibaka’s season-high for points is 20. Daequan Cook’s is 17. Kendrick Perkins’ is 16. Thabo Sefolosha’s is 19. Nick Collison’s is 12. Derek Fisher has played 1,169 career regular-season games; he’s never reached 30 points. Fisher’s career high is 29 points. His season high is 15; 14 with the Thunder.