Harden sits on bench with Sixers in home-opening win over Blazers
Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden missed his third consecutive game Sunday at home against the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a reconditioning process.
Harden attended Sunday's 126-98 win over the Blazers and sat with the team on the bench. He joined the team for film session and walkthrough earlier. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse hopes he'll practice Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov.
The veteran guard was ruled out for the 76ers' opening two games of the campaign in Milwaukee and Toronto following a 10-day absence in which the 34-year-old missed the team's preseason finale and multiple practices.
Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid played Sunday against the Blazers after previously being listed as questionable due to rest. He recorded a dominant 35 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and six blocks.
The 76ers said Harden was away from the team due to a personal matter.
The 10-time All-Star triggered a $35.6-million player option for the 2023-24 season in the summer, with reports suggesting that Harden did so with the intention of being shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers. The 76ers and Clippers reportedly have engaged in recent discussion on a potential deal, though a "sizable gap" in negotiations persists.
An impasse between Harden and 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey reportedly stems from a lack of communication from involved parties, with Harden calling Morey "a liar" in August. Harden was fined $100,000 for his comment.
Harden averaged 21 points and a league-high 10.7 assists over 58 appearances for Philadelphia in 2022-23, his second year with the organization following a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.