NBA veteran James Harden was arrested in Houston early Saturday morning and charged with a misdemeanor weapons offense, according to court records obtained by The California Post.
The 36-year-old basketball star was taken into custody by the Houston Police Department at approximately 3:41 a.m. and booked on a charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon. Records indicate that Harden was later released on bond and is scheduled to return to court for an arraignment hearing on June 22.
According to a copy of the criminal complaint, authorities allege that Harden was found in possession of a handgun inside his vehicle. The complaint states that the firearm was allegedly in plain view and was not secured in a holster.
Officials further accused Harden of “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly” possessing the handgun under circumstances that led to the misdemeanor charge. Beyond those allegations contained in the complaint, law enforcement authorities did not immediately provide additional details about the incident.
Sources familiar with the situation told The Post that Harden had been spending time at a Houston hookah lounge before his arrest. According to those sources, the former MVP was reportedly accompanied by a large group of friends prior to being taken into custody.
As of Saturday, no additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the traffic stop or encounter with police had been publicly released.
The arrest marks an unexpected development for one of the NBA’s most recognizable players. Harden currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers after being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers in February as part of a deal that included guard Darius Garland.
While Harden has played for several franchises throughout his career, Houston remains one of the cities most closely associated with his rise to NBA superstardom.
James Harden was arrested and charged with carrying an unlawful weapon in Houston on Saturday, per the Harris County District Clerk's Office.
Harden was held on a $100 bond which was posted on Saturday, and the next setting will be held on June 22 for a decision on further steps… pic.twitter.com/Ucg0qkQPrQ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 13, 2026
After beginning his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2012. His tenure with the Rockets transformed him into one of the league’s premier offensive players and a perennial All-Star.
During his nine seasons in Houston, Harden earned All-Star honors every year and became one of the franchise’s most accomplished players. His most successful individual campaign came during the 2017-18 season, when he captured the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award while wearing a Rockets uniform.
Since departing Houston, Harden has continued his journey through several high-profile franchises, including the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and now the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His first season in Cleveland saw the veteran guard play a key role in helping the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The postseason run ended, however, when Cleveland was swept by the New York Knicks.
For now, attention has shifted away from basketball and toward the legal proceedings ahead. Harden’s case is expected to move forward later this month when he appears in court for his scheduled arraignment.
The allegations remain limited to the misdemeanor charge outlined in court records, and additional details about the incident had not been made public as of Saturday.
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