Getty Image / Tim Nwachukwu
James Harden came up big for the Philadelphia 76ers after putting up 42 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds.
On top of that, he hit the would-be game-winner to even up the series 2-2.
Even so, NBA fans can’t help but show love and support to the 76ers guard for a completely different reason.
The veteran shooting guard invited and paid for John Hao, a recovering victim from the Michigan State shooting, to attend Sunday’s playoff matchup, per NBA on ESPN. Here is Harden greeting Hao earlier in the day.
This is awesome 💙
Harden kept his promise and paid for Michigan State shooting survivor John Hao to attend Game 4 👏 pic.twitter.com/rSvSrLRiZs
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 7, 2023
It’s already a cool moment, to begin with, but after hitting the game-winner, Harden pulled through for Hao once again.
James Harden took off his shoes, signed them, and gifted them to John Hao on the court immediately at the end of the contest. Barstool Sports shares the incredibly awesome moment.
James Harden signed his shoes for John Hao, a recovering victim from the tragic Michigan State shooting earlier this year, after Game 4.
Truly awesome stuff. pic.twitter.com/Y5cnaZabn0
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 7, 2023
Harden dedicated the game and the win to John Hao, per Cassidy Hubbarth and Nick DePaula. So it’s only fitting for the 76ers guard to give him his shoes as well.
James Harden just signed and gave his red Harden 7s to John Hao, after hitting the game winner to tie the series at 2-2.
“I had a special guest today in the building. He gave me good vibes and winning this game was for him,” @JHarden13 to @CassidyHubbarth https://t.co/Lzq9NmiD95 pic.twitter.com/quT458AHQt
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) May 7, 2023
NBA fans couldn’t help but show support for James Harden’s incredibly kind actions.
Class Act!
— FajahUno 🇨🇴 (@FajahUno) May 7, 2023
There will be no more James Harden slander.
Great player, better person.
— Jayger Meschke (@MeschkeJayger) May 7, 2023
The fans are surely loving Harden right now. What an awesome moment!
Bigger than sports. Harden always been that dude fr
— Phil McKraken (@PhilMcKraken247) May 7, 2023
Simply the best.
Dude flew the family to the game! He literally just got out of the hospital last week.
Sometimes you need to take a step back in life and understand the big picture.
Props to Harden!
— BwcDeals (@BwcDeals) May 7, 2023
It’s not every day James Harden signs his game-worn shoes right there on the court. But at this moment it only seemed right.
Hopefully, John Hao can make a full recovery. We here at BroBible hope nothing but the best for John!