SouthernWorldwide.com – Two weeks after their NBA playoff elimination, James Harden has reportedly been arrested in Houston on a misdemeanor weapons charge.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning, with court records cited by The California Post indicating the 11-time All-Star was taken into custody for unlawfully carrying a weapon.
According to the report, Harden is alleged to have “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly” possessed a handgun within his vehicle.
The firearm was reportedly “in plain view” and not secured in a holster.
Prior to his arrest, Harden was reportedly at a local hookah lounge with friends.
Harden’s team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, were recently swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks are now on the verge of their first NBA title since 1973.
The Cleveland Cavaliers organization has acknowledged the situation, stating they are “aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information.”
The team also confirmed they are in contact with Harden and his representatives and will continue to monitor the developments, opting for no further comment at this time.
The Cavaliers had acquired Harden in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, aiming to bolster their playoff performance. The team secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Following the trade, Harden averaged 20.5 points per game, playing a supporting role to Donovan Mitchell. This was a notable decrease from his 25.4 points per game average in Los Angeles, where the Clippers ultimately failed to make the playoffs, ranking among the NBA’s lowest-scoring teams.
The Post further reported that Harden is scheduled to appear in court on June 22 for an arraignment.
Harden has a significant history with Houston, having played for the Rockets from 2012 until 2021. During his tenure, he was named the MVP of the 2017-18 season and led the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons through 2019-20, averaging close to 34 points per game during that period.
