Right after scoring 42 points during a Game 5 victory over the Celtics, 76ers star James Harden immediately made his way to find John Hao.
Hao was injured in February’s shooting at Michigan State, which killed three students and wounded five others. Harden learned Hao was a fan and when the 20-year-old was in the hospital, the Philadelphia star promised him that he would get him tickets to see him play and invited him to Game 4.
Harden gave Hao the shoes that he wore during the victory over the Celtics, and after the game, he also made sure that the 76ers invited Hao to attend the next home game in Philadelphia on Thursday as well.
you heard the man. see you game 6, John. 🤝🥹 pic.twitter.com/FCxgdWswJs
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 8, 2023
“Game 6, he’s gotta come back. I don’t know what you got going or what your schedule is game. But Game 6, you gotta be back here because you the good luck charm for real. I just keep thinking about it.”
Harden has called Hao his “good luck charm” and says that it is his job to give him that light and smile he needs during his recovery.
"He's my good luck charm."
James Harden on John Hao, a @michiganstateu student who was paralyzed following a shooting on campus. Hao was in attendance for the 76ers' Game 4 win.#NBAPlayoffs presented by @GooglePixel_US pic.twitter.com/g8h8e5i5f4
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2023
