Settlement Reached In Lawsuit Alleging Rockets' Harden Punched Lakers Fan

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles Lakers fan has reportedly reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging he was punched by Houston Rockets star James Harden after telling him that Kobe Bryant was a better player.

Court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by attorneys for the 25-year-old Harden stated that the assault/battery suit brought by Barak Golan was resolved.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

The lawsuit stemmed from an alleged incident on Nov. 3, 2013, when Harden was leaving the parking lot of the Greystone Manor nightclub in West Hollywood, according to the suit.

When Harden rolled down the back seat window of an SUV he was riding in, he was recognized by Golan, who shouted to the All-Star guard, ""Kobe owns your (epithet)," the suit stated.

"Immediately thereafter, defendant Harden punched plaintiff in the face as the vehicle proceeded to turn left out of the parking lot," according to the lawsuit.

Harden then allegedly made an obscene gesture toward Golan as his SUV sped away northbound on La Cienega Boulevard, court documents stated.

After filing the case in Nov. 2013, Golan saw a doctor for his injuries and also suffered emotional distress, according to the complaint.

According to TMZ, Harden had asked the judge to throw out the case, saying Golan "posed a threat" and citing the "doctrine of self-defense".

Harden finished second in the voting this season for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award behind Golden State Warriors guard and league MVP Stephen Curry.

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