James Harden Named in Negligence Claim Over Alleged Assault by Nephew at New Year’s Eve Party

NBA Star’s Nephew Accused of Sexual Assault as Lawsuit Raises Questions About Security Response

James Harden, the star guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, is facing allegations of negligence related to an alleged sexual assault and rape involving his nephew, Justice Armani Blackburn, during a New Year’s Eve party on December 31, 2024, held at Harden’s home.

The lawsuit was filed by Marisa Watley in Harris County, Texas, and accuses Blackburn of sexually assaulting and raping her during the private gathering. While the lawsuit directly names Blackburn as the alleged assailant, Harden is accused of negligence stemming from how his personal security team handled the situation that night.

Claims Point to Alleged Failure by Harden’s Security Team

According to the lawsuit, Watley attended the New Year’s Eve event at Harden’s home along with two friends. At some point during the evening, her friends were allegedly forced to leave the property by Harden’s security personnel, despite their insistence that Watley was still inside and potentially in danger.

Watley’s friends then contacted her sister, Elaina Watley, who reached out to James Harden’s sister — who is also the mother of Blackburn, the accused. Elaina was reportedly able to send a photo of Marisa to security, attempting to verify her presence inside the home. However, security staff reportedly responded that a woman was in the house with Blackburn, but claimed it was not Marisa Watley.

The lawsuit argues that Harden’s security team failed to act appropriately, and had they taken the situation seriously or acted on the warnings, the alleged assault could have been prevented.

Survivor Statement Calls for Accountability

In a public statement released through her legal team, Marisa Watley expressed frustration and disbelief at the events that unfolded that night:

“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,” Watley said.

“I hope this complaint pushes security employees generally to act more responsibly when women are in danger.”

Her legal representatives emphasized their intention to hold both Blackburn and Harden legally accountable, citing negligence and failure to ensure a safe environment for guests.

No Response Yet From Harden or the Clippers

As of now, no attorney has been listed for Justice Blackburn in court records. Repeated attempts to contact James Harden’s agency and the Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly gone unanswered. The team has not issued an official statement regarding the matter.

No criminal charges have been confirmed against Harden at this time, and the negligence claim is part of the civil lawsuit connected to the broader allegations against Blackburn.

Legal Path Forward

The lawsuit is currently proceeding in Texas civil court, and it may take several months before any hearings or rulings are made. Given Harden’s public profile and the nature of the allegations, the case is expected to attract continued media and legal attention.

Context and Significance

This incident raises broader concerns about personal security responsibilities at private events hosted by high-profile individuals. The case may also set a precedent for how negligence is evaluated when it involves third parties and private security teams acting under a celebrity’s supervision.

While James Harden is not accused of direct involvement in the alleged assault, the lawsuit places scrutiny on his duty of care as a homeowner and employer of security staff during the event.

As the legal process unfolds, both the NBA community and the public will be watching closely for further developments.