James Harden, an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers, was rumored to be drug-tested after trying to block his teammate Kawhi Leonard’s shot in 2024.
His block against Leonard’s three-point shot was so hilarious that fans on social media joked that he should be drug tested.
James Harden says he was drug tested after contesting Kawhi Leonard’s shot:
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) March 21, 2024
“I read about this tactic in The Art of War by Sun Tzu and they drug test me for that.” pic.twitter.com/RoPe7Qa2UH
A tweet from the popular parody account NBA Centel sparked brief confusion online, claiming that James Harden was drug tested by the league.
The satirical post, which featured a fake quote from Harden, quickly went viral, leading some fans to question its legitimacy.
However, NBA Centel is purely a comedy account, known for posting fictional and humorous takes on NBA happenings. The tweet was just another joke, and Harden was never actually drug tested over any on-court incident.
The rumor may have gained traction due to a playful moment in a game where Harden jokingly contested his own teammate’s shot.
While some fans speculated whether this triggered a league investigation, drug testing doesn’t work that way. Players aren’t tested for lighthearted in-game antics, and teammates have often goofed around during games without consequence.
I was trying to bring some excitement to this team. I think these last few weeks have been a fog for us. I think every team goes through it. So I think it was just me trying to create energy, create a great vibe for this team.
James Harden
NBA Star James Harden Frisked by French Police During Paris Fashion Week Incident
During Paris Fashion Week in 2021, NBA star James Harden was frisked by French police in an unexpected encounter on the upscale Avenue Montaigne.
The incident also involved rapper Lil Baby, aka Dominique Jones, who was temporarily detained on suspicion of drug possession, according to Le Parisien.
Bravo à la police française 🤦🏾♂️ des incompétents… même pas capable de reconnaître James HARDEN pic.twitter.com/YLAeBFdaXk
— cateregardeap (@TiSoldier971) July 8, 2021
The situation unfolded when police searched a parked car that reportedly emitted a strong smell of cannabis.
Authorities found 20 grams of cannabis in the glove compartment, leading to Lil Baby’s brief detention.
Harden, who was not in the vehicle, arrived at the scene afterward and was subjected to a police frisk, though he was not detained.
A video shared on social media showed the Los Angeles Clippers guard at the time being patted down by an officer. Lil Baby was later released from custody after receiving a fine.
The incident added an unexpected twist to the stars’ Fashion Week appearances, drawing attention to the strict drug enforcement policies in France, where cannabis possession can lead to fines or even jail time.
Neither Harden nor Lil Baby faced further legal consequences, but the episode became a talking point during the high-profile event.
James Harden Named in Disturbing Sexual Assault Lawsuit Involving Alleged Date Rape Drug Use
James Harden has been named as a defendant in a shocking lawsuit alleging that his nephew, Justice Armani Blackburn, drugged and sexually assaulted a woman at Harden’s Houston home during a New Year’s Eve afterparty.
The suit, filed in Harris County, Texas, also accuses Harden’s security team of attempting to cover up the incident.
According to court documents obtained in June 2025, Marisa Watley attended the party with two friends, who are listed as witnesses.
The women claim they were invited into Harden’s private studio, where Blackburn offered them a suspicious drink. Shortly after consuming it, all three allegedly lost consciousness.
Watley states in the lawsuit that her memory became extremely hazy, but that she was later shocked into consciousness during an alleged assault by Blackburn.
Meanwhile, her two friends were allegedly escorted out by security and prevented from reentering to check on her. As they were being removed, they reportedly saw their friend unconscious in the home and noticed Harden driving away.
Since New Year’s Day, when I reported the rape by Mr. Blackburn to the police, I have remained puzzled by how Mr. Harden’s security behaved that day. It is painful to imagine that this all could have been stopped in time. I hope this complaint pushes security employees generally to act more responsibly when women are in danger.
Marisa Watley
The suit further alleges that security personnel falsely claimed Watley was no longer in the house, despite evidence to the contrary.
The plaintiff argues that Harden is vicariously liable for his security team’s actions and their alleged role in enabling the incident.
Watley is seeking a jury trial along with compensatory and punitive damages. Meanwhile, Harden has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- James Edward Harden Jr., the youngest of three children of James Harden Sr. and Monja Willis, was born on August 26, 1989, in Los Angeles, California.
- He began playing basketball at Artesia High School and committed to Arizona State.
- The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted him with the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft.
- His net worth is estimated to be $165 million, and he earns $44 million annually.
