James Harden on his controversial face mask: ‘I thought it looked cool’

The mystery surrounding James Harden’s face mask that he was snapped in while in Orlando on Thursday has been solved.

The Houston Rockets posted a photo of the star guard wearing a mask that appeared to show Thin Blue Line and Punisher skull images, both of which have been used by Blue Lives Matter protesters. It was confusing given how Harden has voiced his support for Black Lives Matter protesters. Rapper Young Thug claimed that Harden doesn’t have internet, “so he obviously don’t know what’s right or wrong.”

Harden addressed the mask on Friday, and he didn’t realize what the imagery was associated with. The reason he wore it? He liked the look of it and it covered his giant beard:

James Harden said wearing this mask — associated with "Blue Lives Matter" — was not meant to make a political statement. He said he wore it because it covers his beard and wasn't aware of the association. https://t.co/tz2EsAbs6h

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 17, 2020

James Harden: "It was just something that covered my whole beard. I thought it looked cool. That was it." Harden said he's in process of determining how he will voice his support for the Black Lives Matter while in NBA bubble, including whether he will have a message on jersey.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 17, 2020

James Harden says he hasn't decided whether he will put a social justice message on the back of his jersey. "But somehow my message is going to get across."

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 16, 2020