James Harden recorded his 31st consecutive 30-point game on Thursday as the Houston Rockets lost 120-111 at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The 29-year-old tied Wilt Chamberlain’s 56-year benchmark for the second-longest streak in the NBA.

Despite his side being on the wrong end of the scoreline, Harden continued to shine as he banked 42 points against Minnesota.

Chamberlain, who also holds the top position, scored at least 30 points in 65 consecutive games in the 1961/62 season.

His separate run of 31 games also started that same season. Harden is the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and his 42-point haul on the Timberwolves marked 22nd 40-point game of this outstanding season – no other player has more than seven 40-point games this term.

The Rockets have won 16 of the 22 games played when Harden has scored 40 or more points. With the NBA All-Star Weekend coming up, Harden will have to wait in his bid to pass Chamberlain’s 31-game mark, with the Rockets set to face the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers on February 22 in their next outing.

Chamberlain’s record 65-game run was ended on February 24, 1962 when the Boston Celtics kept him to a mere tally of 26 points.

He would go on and score 67 in his next game, thus beginning a new 31-game streak of 30-points or more games. Harden’s Houston Rockets currently sit fifth in the NBA Western Conference.