NBA star James Harden might still be making plays on the court, but off the court, his Houston restaurant Thirteen is facing a serious timeout.
On Labor Day, a bold notice was slapped on the front door of Thirteen in Midtown Houston. The locks had been changed, and the landlord claimed Harden’s team owed more than $2.2 million in unpaid rent and fees. The notice officially stated the tenant was out, and court filings show the landlord is now suing for even more.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the landlord is taking legal action against Harden, Thirteens Hospitality Group, and 13 Strikes LLC. The lawsuit filed in Harris County District Court is seeking over $1 million in damages for unpaid rent and claims the property was not maintained according to fire and city code standards.
And this isn’t the restaurant’s only legal headache.
Back in December 2024, Thirteen was hit with a wrongful death lawsuit. ABC News reported that the suit alleges the restaurant overserved a customer who later caused a deadly crash. Seven people died in that incident, including the driver and former NFL cornerback Derek Hayden. One of the victims’ mothers is now seeking more than $1 million in damages.
Harden has yet to speak publicly about either lawsuit. While his name brings celebrity attention and headlines to the business, the reality of the restaurant world is a different kind of pressure.
It’s unclear what the future holds for Thirteen. With millions at stake and multiple lawsuits in play, the next chapter could either be redemption or a full shutdown.
Unbiased Take:
Running a high-end restaurant tied to a celebrity name doesn’t guarantee stability. Between legal issues, public scrutiny, and massive debt, Thirteen’s story shows how quickly brand power can get tested when real-world business starts breaking down.
