• James Harden highlighted his close relationship with fan John Hao, a Michigan State shooting survivor.
• Hao attended the Clippers’ 128-108 upset win over the Houston Rockets as Harden scored 29 points.
• Harden called Hao a motivator and praised his resilience as Hao works toward a master’s degree.
• The pair have stayed connected since 2023; Harden often invites Hao to games and supports him off the court.
Harden says Hao’s strength motivates him
Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden spent part of Tuesday night talking about a bond that goes beyond basketball. After a 128-108 win over the Houston Rockets at the Intuit Dome, Harden praised longtime fan John Hao — a survivor of the 2023 Michigan State University shooting — calling him a “strong human being” and saying he was “just proud of him.”
Harden, who poured in 29 points with six assists, credited Hao’s resilience as a source of personal motivation. “He had something that was literally life-changing happen to him, and for him to still be strong enough… he’s about to get his Masters,” Harden said. “For someone to have something that’s life-changing and still has the motivation to keep pushing and keep going, that motivates me to just keep pushing in whatever obstacles I feel like I’m going through in life.”
How the bond began
Hao was injured and paralyzed from the chest down in the 2023 Michigan State shooting. Harden learned Hao was a fan and immediately reached out. Since then, Harden has kept in touch, sent gear, contributed to Hao’s fundraising efforts, and regularly invites him to games. Harden called Hao his “lucky charm” after John attended a 2023 playoff game when Harden scored 42 points and hit a game-winner for the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The pair’s relationship is more than a public-relations moment — Harden has described it as a genuine friendship built on encouragement and hope. Harden told ESPN in 2023 that he wanted to use his platform to lift Hao’s spirits and offer support as Hao works toward his next steps in life.
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Embedded post (X): https://x.com/farbod_e/status/2003719542724526544?s=46&t=6-z55vXX1ljzcUZTKBfWSg
(Original interview referenced: https://www.espn.ph/nba/story/_/id/35723323/how-james-harden-helping-michigan-state-shooting-survivor-heal)
Why the story matters
This moment underscores Harden’s off-court presence and the impact athletes can have outside the game. In a season where the Clippers have struggled at times, Harden and the team produced a much-needed win while also spotlighting a personal story of recovery and perseverance. Fans and teammates have noticed Harden’s consistency in engaging with supporters, and his relationship with Hao remains one of the more meaningful player-fan stories in recent NBA seasons.
Two years on from the shooting, Hao continues to attend games and pursue education goals. Harden’s acknowledgment — public and private — keeps the focus on Hao’s recovery and determination, and reminds audiences that personal connections often carry as much weight as on-court performances.
Image Referance: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/im-just-proud-him-harden-143100442.html
