The Philadelphia 76ers will begin their 2023-24 season on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, but James Harden is not going to play in the game. That decision was reportedly made by the team.
Harden returned to the Sixers on Wednesday after more than a week away, according to multiple reports. Shams Charania of The Athletic was told by sources that Harden was prepared to join the team for their road trip to Milwaukee and then Toronto, but he was informed that he will be staying back in Philadelphia.
James Harden returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday night with his bags packed to join team on the road for Thursday vs. Bucks and Saturday vs. Raptors, but the 76ers have now asked him not to travel with the team, sources said. https://t.co/N7GONkU6l9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 25, 2023
Multiple NBA insiders said the 76ers do not feel Harden is ready for live game action following his 10-day absence. Harden will have a chance to play when Philadelphia hosts the Portland Trail Blazers in their home opener on Sunday.
James Harden hasn’t practiced with Sixers since October 15 and plan is allowing him to stay at Camden practice facility and work with team development staff to get the live action necessary to get him playing games once Sixers return from Milwaukee-Toronto trip, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2023
Harden had been taking part in training camp before he left the team for what was categorized as a “personal matter.” A report last week claimed Harden believed momentum was building toward him being traded to his preferred destination and was disappointed when a deal was not completed.
Harden has indicated that he plans to play in the regular season even if the 76ers do not trade him, so it will be interesting to see what happens over the next several days.
