James Harden Makes Personal Admission Before NBA Season

One aspect of Harden’s life that has rarely been public is his family. Now, as he prepares for another run at the NBA title, the eight-time All-NBA selection opened up about this deeply personal side of his life.

In Season 2 of Netflix’s “Starting 5,” the veteran guard discussed fatherhood and his relationship with his young son, Jace.

“Jace means the world,” Harden said. “I think everybody who have children understand the difference of love that you have for someone that you created. It’s a joy. You know that’s your little mini-me.”

He added, “Something that you created, something that you wanna mold and be better than you is a different kind of love.”

The revelation sparked reactions from fans. Some were happy to see Harden embrace fatherhood:

“This is what we love to see ,” one wrote.

“He is really in his proud dad era,” another added.

“Love seeing this side of the players. The dad era is the best era,” a third fan remarked.

Others were surprised to learn that Harden has a son:

“i didnt know harden had a son,” said one fan.

“Had zero clue he had a child lol,” another fan posted.

“He’s had a kid this whole time LOL????” a fan wondered.

Aside from being a father to Jace, Harden is publicly linked with Paije Speights, a model and fashion designer, and the two are reportedly expecting another child together.

While he continues to be present for his son, Harden's attention will also be drawn back to basketball with the 2025-26 NBA regular season underway this week. The Clippers will open their campaign on the road against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, with tipoff set for 9 p.m. ET.

At 36 years old, Harden will look to add a long-awaited championship to his résumé and help deliver the Clippers their first NBA title in franchise history.