In the high-stakes world of NBA Playoffs basketball, individual milestones often shine brightest even in defeat. That was the case for Cleveland Cavaliers veteran James Harden, who—despite a tough Game 6 loss to the Detroit Pistons—managed to etch his name deeper into playoff history by surpassing Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry on the all-time postseason scoring list.

Harden, who has been a steadying force for the Cavaliers since joining the team, now sits alone in 10th place all-time with 4,167 career playoff points, according to ESPN Insights. The milestone came early in Game 6, when Harden knocked down his fifth point of the night, officially overtaking Curry. Next up on the list? Hall of Famer Jerry West, who sits at 4,457 points—a mark Harden will be eyeing as the postseason continues.

The Cavaliers leaned heavily on Harden and Donovan Mitchell in their attempt to close out the Pistons in Game 6. Playing 37 minutes, Harden led the team with 23 points on efficient shooting—hitting six of 13 field goals and 37.5% from beyond the arc. He also dished out four assists and grabbed four steals, doing his best to keep Cleveland's offense flowing and prevent Detroit from building momentum. However, the veteran's night was also marked by a game-high eight turnovers, a stat that proved costly in the loss.

While Harden can celebrate this individual achievement, the bigger picture remains unfinished. The Cavaliers now face a winner-take-all Game 7, with Harden looking to earn his first trip to the conference finals since 2019. For a player known for his scoring prowess and leadership, this postseason run is about more than climbing the all-time list—it's about proving he can still carry a team when it matters most.