NBA superstar James Harden arrested after gun found in car

While the latest arrest represents a new legal challenge for Harden, it is not the first time his name has appeared in lawsuits.

In 2025, the NBA star was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Harris County, Texas, by a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by Harden’s cousin, Judge Armani Blackburn, after a New Year’s Eve party at Harden’s Houston mansion in 2024, per USA today.

According to the lawsuit, plaintiff Marisa Watley claimed she attended the gathering with friends and was attacked unconscious.

The filing alleged that Watley’s friends were removed from the property by security personnel while she remained at the residence.

Watley’s attorneys further alleged that family members and friends tried to locate her that evening and contacted individuals associated with Harden, including his sister, who is Blackburn’s mother.

The lawsuit alleged that security personnel failed to properly respond to warnings that Watley was still in the home.

Harden was not charged with participating in the alleged attack. However, the lawsuit argued that he was negligent due to the actions of his security team and claimed that the incident could have been prevented if appropriate measures had been taken.

The filing also alleged that Harden was “vicariously liable” for the conduct of security personnel working at the premises.