James Harden hardly showed his face to his Philadelphia 76ers team during practice, so it came as no surprise at all to the fans when the team temporarily cast him out, at least for the duration of the road trip and first regular season game, and asked him to travel on his own.
Harden’s return
Even experienced professionals understand the importance of practice before the regular season, especially when aiming for a championship. Making the most of every practice minute is crucial. However, James Harden seemed to think differently based on his recent behavior. According to reports, the 34-year-old missed ten days of the team’s practices, a period that could have been vital in their preparations for the upcoming regular season.
On X, Shams Charania reported that James Harden had returned to the Philadelphia 76ers on October 25, stating “After 10 days away, James Harden has reported back to the Philadelphia 76ers for practice today, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.”
“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,” Charania added.
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
The 76ers’ plan, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, is for Harden to stay at the team’s practice facility in Camden and collaborate with the development staff to gain the in-game experience necessary to play after the Sixers return from their Milwaukee-Toronto road trip.
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’s relationship with the 76ers
Since the team turned down Harden’s request to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers have not been on the best of terms lately. And when Harden called 76ers President Daryl Morey a liar during an Adidas promotional event in China, it became clear that there was a rift between the two parties.
Harden publicly acknowledged for the first time on October 14—the day before he started skipping practices—that his relationship with the 76ers is “irreparable” as he no longer trusted them.
James Harden speaks on losing his trust in Daryl Morey pic.twitter.com/hvx7J6RpQH
— NBA Dramatics (@NBADramatics) October 13, 2023
All throughout the days that he was absent, the fans were skeptical whether the 10-time All Star Guard would ever come back.
Fortunately, for the 76ers fans, who thought that the team would lose a valuable player, the prodigal son came back after 10 days. Harden is scheduled to resume his conditioning regimen and is not anticipated to play in the season opener against the Bucks on Thursday.
Live on @RunItBackFDTV: James Harden rejoins the 76ers.
Harden is set to restart his ramp-up process and is not expected to play in opener vs. Bucks on Thursday, sources say. pic.twitter.com/Aw6szM0vAO
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 25, 2023
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