ESPN Senior NBA Insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, shared James Harden remains away from the 76ers as the team prepares for practice today, sources tell ESPN.
“It is unclear when and if James Harden plans to return to Philadelphia.”@wojespn on Harden's excused absence. pic.twitter.com/LK0Bf3g1P7
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 23, 2023
Sources to ESPN also reported that it is increasingly unclear whether Harden will be available to play in the Sixers opener vs. Milwaukee on Thursday.
As the falling relationship continues with Daryl Morey, it is revealed Harden did not practice with the Sixers this week and did not appear in any preseason games.
Earlier, Harden had vowed he would never play again for a franchise run by 76ers team president Daryl Morey. The disgruntled guard skipped Philadelphia’s entire preseason slate in the wake of his trade demand.
James Harden remains away from the 76ers as the team prepares for practice today, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2023
He has been officially away for personal matters, did not practice with the Sixers this week, and was not at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday night for the finale against Atlanta.
The No. 1 jersey of the three-time NBA scoring champion still hung at the arena as the Sixers are set to open their season Thursday against Milwaukee.
Coach Nick Nurse, in his first season after five years with Toronto, seems to be preparing for the upcoming games without Harden.
He said on Friday,
“I think I’ve been preparing for it all this week, for sure. Lots of thought has gone into him not playing and preparing the team that way this summer. We’ve just gone out and played, and we’re going to have to go out and play the way we’re trying to play. I think that is without (him) until something changes.”
It is increasingly unclear whether Harden will be available to play in the Sixers opener vs. Milwaukee on Thursday, sources said. https://t.co/oRzkRhwxFL
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2023
As sources have shared with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Harden, who missed the final preseason game on Friday after skipping multiple practices, remained away from the team.
He demanded a trade after picking up his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season, since then not shown up for practices on Wednesday or Thursday.
As of now, the update is The Sixers on Friday said Harden was away from the team because of a personal matter.
