James Harden Kept His Promise To The Shooter At Michigan State; Game 4 against Celtics

James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers honored a promise to John Hao, a survivor of the shooting at Michigan State University in February that left three students dead and five others injured, on Sunday by inviting him to the team’s pivotal series-tying Game 4 playoff victory over the Boston Celtics.

Since the shooting in February, Harden and Hao, a Chinese international student paralyzed due to the incident, have become friends during FaceTime talks.

When Hao was allowed to travel, Harden had invited Hao and his family to a Philadelphia game; true to his word, Harden made sure the 20-year-old was present for Sunday’s crucial game, and the two even embraced during pregame warmups.

Wearing Harden’s No. 1 jerseys, Hao and his father watched the game from the stands, where they were treated to an exciting event with their friend playing a crucial part.

The Sixers defeated the Celtics 116-115 in overtime to even the best-of-seven playoff series at 2-2. Harden scored 42 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and the game-winning three-pointer.

A passionate Celtics team with six players reaching double digits, led by Jayson Tatum‘s 24 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists, was defeated by Harden thanks to the newly crowned MVP Joel Embiid‘s 34 points and 13 rebounds.

Harden met Hao on the playing field after the game, signed his game-used sneakers, and gave them to him as souvenirs.

Following the incident, Harden referred to Hao as his “good luck charm” in a social media post.

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Hao may need to return to the Wells Fargo Center for Game 6, according to Harden’s prediction in a video posted on Philadelphia’s official social media page.

“I don’t know what you got going or what your schedule is, but Game 6 you gotta be back here.” “Because you’re the good luck charm. For real, I just kept thinking about you.”

James Harden

When Harden discovered Hao, 20, was a fan of his, he got in touch with her. During Hao’s recovery, the 10-time NBA All-Star gave him cash and shoes. He also called him on FaceTime, invited him to a game, and encouraged him.

“I’ve been keeping in contact with him. Obviously, like any of us in here, something tragic like to happen, it’s a lot of nonsense going on in the world,”

“For him to be a victim of that is heartbreaking. I mean he’s strong, he’s bouncing back, and he’s recovering really well. I feel like it’s my job to give him that light, that smile he deserves, that he needs. Hopefully, today was one of those days where he’s smiling. That’s all I’m here for.”

James Hard

Anthony Dwayne McRae, 43, who had no known affiliations with the institution, fired fire on two areas of the campus in February’s shooting at Michigan State University, injuring Hao, according to MSU police. His apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound led to his subsequent death.

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