James Harden is reportedly back in Philadelphia, although he will not be suiting up for the Sixers in their season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, October 26.
With James Harden gone for several days, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said that the 10-time All-Star needs to catch up and work with team staff. He added that Harden was fine with the decision, NBA.com reported.
Nick Nurse says “we are in ramp up phase, again” with James Harden.
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 25, 2023
Harden will work out with Blue Coats players and two-way guys while team travels, according to Nurse pic.twitter.com/Y9Eu6Gnssj
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"He's been gone 10 days so we are in ramp-up phase again. He will stay here and get on-court work with our staff and with our players from the (G League) and our two-way guys and things like that and try and get him ramped up as soon as we can," the first-year Sixers coach said.
After the Bucks, the Sixers will face Nurse's former team, the Toronto Raptors, on Saturday, October 28. They play again on Sunday, October 29, against the Portland Trail Blazers.
With these scheduled games ahead, Nurse could not commit if James Harden would play in those games, the Associated Press reported.
Is Harden's heart still in Philly?
With Harden's actions, "The Beard" may be in for a rough season if he decides to stick and play it out in Philly. Sixers' fans are expected to boo him each time he takes the court - especially during home games, SI.com suggested.
Hence, the logical route is for him to move to another team. The Los Angeles Clippers are the only team linked to him thus far. With his huge salary for the 2023-24 season and his impending free agency, it will be interesting if any NBA team will agree to a James Harden rental this season.
Related Article: James Harden's Heartbreaking Reason for Philly Absence Revealed
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