In the hours after reports emerged of another key injury for the Houston Rockets, it was assumed by most that James Harden would take on an even bigger scoring load. He showed Monday night he's ready to take on the challenge. Harden poured in a season-high 57 points to lead the Rockets to a 112-94 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, setting a modern-era NBA record with his 17th consecutive game with at least 30.

Harden shot 17-of-33 overall, 6-of-15 from 3-point range and 17-of-18 from the foul line in 34 minutes. His streak of 30-point games is the longest since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77 and comes at a time when the short-handed Rockets will need him most.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that starting center Clint Capela will miss four to six weeks with a thumb injury. Houston was already playing without Chris Paul (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (knee), both sidelined since late last month.