James Harden is facing accusations of negligence in a sexual assault lawsuit where he is a named defendant.

According to the filing obtained by USA TODAY Sports, plaintiff Marisa Watley claims that she was sexually assaulted by Justice Armani Blackburn, Harden's nephew, following a New Year's Eve party in 2024 at the Los Angeles Clippers star’s Houston mansion.

The 15-page suit says that Watley and two of her friends attended the New Year’s Eve party and Blackburn sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious.

Watley claims that Harden’s security removed her friends from the residence, but she was still inside. Her friends then contacted Watley's sister, who phoned Harden's sister, Blackburn’s mother. 

After sharing a photo of Watley to Harden's security, they reportedly said that the woman in the residence was not Marisa Watley, the lawsuit states. 

The complaint alleges that Harden's security failed to act to respond to outside calls for help and could have prevented the sexual assault.” Also the suit says that former NBA MVP is "vicariously liable for the actions of his guards and their corporate employer," who are also named as defendants in the filing.

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

Michael J. Willemin, John S. Crain, Jay Ellwanger, and Kaylyn Betts, Watley’s legal team, lauded their client for her bravery to come forth with her allegations.

“Ms. Watley has shown great strength and courage in coming forward to hold Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Harden accountable for what happened to her on New Year’s Day 2025 in Mr. Harden’s mansion,” their joint statement read.  “This rape was immediately reported to the police, and we will bring Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Harden to justice through the civil justice system.”

Harden is coming off another All-Star campaign. Last season, he averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game.