Mere moments after delivering the game-winning three-pointer for the Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden gave a fan of his a moment to remember.
The Sixers were able to hold off the Boston Celtics on Sunday to tie their NBA playoff series 2-2 after winning Game 4 116-115 in overtime. Harden was a major impetus for the Sixers’ victory, posting 42 points in the game and crucially, sinking the game-winning three-pointer to stave off the Celtics’ comeback.
After Marcus Smart’s answering three-pointer fell short and victory was secured for the Sixers, Harden made his way over to John Hao, a paralyzed Michigan State shooting survivor and a big fan of Philadelphia’s star player. Hao was injured in February’s shooting at Michigan State that killed three students and wounded five others.
When Harden learned that the 20-year-old was a big fan of his and once Hao was released from the hospital, the Sixers’ star invited him to Game 4.
And after Harden’s big moment, he found Hao in the crowd, took off his shoes, and autographed them for his biggest fan to keep.
Bigger than basketball 🙏
James Harden gives John Hao his shoes after hitting the game-winner in Game 4 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/LODiFtII11
— ESPN (@espn) May 7, 2023
Not only that, Harden even said he’d invite Hao back for more games and called him his “good luck charm” in postgame interviews.
This is the hat you wear when you drop 42 with a game-winner.
Harden says John Hao is his good luck charm. They kept in touch. “I feel like it’s my job to give him that little light in his life.” pic.twitter.com/bHJxHrnieE
— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) May 7, 2023
No doubt this is a moment that Hao will never forget.
