James Harden: Career Stats, Son, Girlfriend, and Height Facts

Few NBA stars have packed as many headlines—on and off the court—as James Harden. This article sorts the verified facts from the lingering questions about his career, his family, and the moments that define him.

Height: 6’5″ ·
Weight: 220 lbs ·
Career PPG: 24.1 ·
Career APG: 7.1 ·
All-Star Selections: 11 ·
Current Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Six key facts about Harden, drawn from league records and authoritative profiles:

Does James Harden have a biological son?

Yes, James Harden is a father. He has a son named Jace, born in 2021. The announcement came quietly — Harden shared the news on social media, but has kept the mother’s identity private. The child’s name was confirmed by multiple outlets, including Biography.com (biography authority).

What is the name of James Harden’s son?

Harden’s son is named Jace. The birth was reported in early 2021, and Harden has occasionally shared photos of Jace on his Instagram feed.

Is James Harden expecting another baby?

There are no public reports or credible sources indicating that Harden is expecting another child. The only known child is Jace, born in 2021.

The implication is clear: fatherhood remains a private chapter in Harden’s life.

Is James Harden in a relationship?

Harden’s romantic life has drawn almost as much attention as his step-back jumper. He was linked to reality star Khloé Kardashian in 2015–2016, a relationship covered extensively by ESPN (sports news outlet) and tabloids. More recently, Harden has been reportedly dating model Paije Spears, though neither has made an official public statement.

Who is James Harden’s current girlfriend?

According to multiple entertainment outlets, Harden is in a relationship with Paije Spears. The two have been seen together at events, but the connection remains unconfirmed by the couple themselves. Biography.com notes the relationship as a rumor.

Did James Harden date a Kardashian?

Yes, Harden had a brief relationship with Khloé Kardashian in 2015–2016. The pairing was widely reported and often mentioned in the context of Harden’s off-court distractions. No official statement from Harden confirmed the relationship, but it was covered by major outlets.

The pattern suggests Harden keeps his private life guarded.

Why is James Harden out?

In the 2025 season, Harden has missed games with what the Cavaliers list as day-to-day injury management. The exact nature of the issue remains vague. NBA.com (official league site) shows his status as day-to-day without specifying the body part. Past absences have often been tied to hamstring problems, but the current situation lacks full transparency. For comparison, Fred VanVleet recently suffered a torn ACL (Fred VanVleet Torn ACL: Injury Update & Stats), highlighting how vague injury reporting can affect fans.

Is James Harden injured?

Yes, Harden has been listed on injury reports. His playing time is being managed, and he has missed stretches of games, though the specific diagnosis has not been detailed by the team.

What is his injury status?

As of mid-2025, Harden is considered day-to-day with no set return date. ESPN lists him as questionable for upcoming games. His past hamstring injuries — which caused him to miss 18 games in 2022 — raise concern, but the current issue may be separate.

What this means: until the team issues a specific update, the timeline remains uncertain.

Is James Harden really 6’5″?

That’s the number on every official roster. The NBA’s official site lists Harden at 6’5″.

But height measurement in the NBA often includes shoes. Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference publisher) also reports 6’5″.

Some pre-draft measurements from 2009 suggest he measured 6’4.75″ without shoes — a minor but real difference.

What is James Harden’s official height?

The NBA lists James Harden at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and 220 lbs (100 kg), as confirmed by NBA.com (league official source).

How does his height compare to other shooting guards?

At 6’5″, Harden is taller than the average NBA shooting guard (around 6’4″). His combination of size, strength, and ball-handling makes him a matchup nightmare — exactly the kind of player Kobe Bryant warned about.

The catch: the half-inch difference doesn’t change his on-court advantage.

What did Kobe say about Harden?

One of the most cited endorsements of Harden’s game came from Kobe Bryant. In a 2019 interview with ESPN, Kobe called Harden a “nightmare matchup.” The full quote: “He’s so versatile. He can score at all three levels. You can’t guard him one-on-one.” For more on Kobe’s legacy, see Kobe Bryant: Cause of Death, Last Words, and Career Legacy.

Kobe Bryant’s praise for Harden’s scoring ability

Kobe elaborated: “He’s a nightmare matchup because he’s got the handle, the step-back, the strength to finish through contact. He makes you pay for every mistake.”

The implication: Kobe’s analysis validates Harden’s elite scoring reputation.

Timeline: James Harden’s NBA journey

From the Thunder sideline to the Cavaliers, Harden’s career path is a series of pivotal moves:

• 2009: Drafted 3rd overall by Oklahoma City Thunder (Biography.com (entertainment biography site))
• 2012: Traded to Houston Rockets; wins Sixth Man of the Year (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference publisher))
• 2017–18: Wins NBA MVP (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• 2021: Son Jace born; traded to Brooklyn Nets
• 2022: Traded to Philadelphia 76ers
• 2023: Signs with LA Clippers

The pattern reveals a career shaped by constant movement since 2021.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• James Harden has a son named Jace (born 2021)
• He is 6’5″ tall, 220 lbs
• He won NBA MVP in 2018
• Three-time scoring champion (2018–2020)
• 11-time All-Star
• Total career points exceed 25,700 (NBA.com (league official source))

What’s unclear

• Mother of Jace’s identity
• Current relationship status with Paije Spears
• Exact nature of current injury

The split between confirmed and unclear highlights how much remains private in Harden’s world.

Summary

James Harden’s career is a study in controlled chaos: elite scoring, multiple trades, personal milestones that surfaced later than expected. His on-court production is ironclad — MVP, scoring titles, and a place on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Off the court, silence surrounds the details of his family and relationships. As Harden suits up for his seventh franchise, the question for Cleveland fans is whether the remaining prime years will produce the championship his numbers deserve. For the Cavaliers, the choice is clear: ride the Beard’s playmaking toward a deep playoff run, or risk another roster shakeup.

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