James Harden was absent from the Philadelphia 76ers for a week. Harden took a different route when his teammates gathered in Brooklyn for a game, even though he had already shown up on the second day of training camp in Colorado, traveled with the team for its preseason opener against the Boston Celtics, and returned to practice at the team’s Camden, New Jersey, facility.
Harden was reportedly in Houston, the home of one of his previous teams. The Sixers stated that Harden’s departure from the team was for “personal reasons,” which neither he nor any other member of the squad have disclosed.
The absence didn’t turn out to be long-term. After the Sixers concluded their preseason, Harden made his way back to Camden on Wednesday morning. The Sixers were set to practice for the final time before traveling to the Midwest for their season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Harden’s status for Thursday’s opener was already in question prior to his return. When he wasn’t with the team, it was widely assumed Harden wouldn’t be on board with the 76ers when they tip off the year. His return to practice offered an ounce of hope that the Sixers could potentially have last season’s assist leader back in the fold, but the Sixers don’t want to rush to that scenario just yet.
When Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse addressed reporters on Wednesday after practice, he confirmed that Harden would have to ramp up his conditioning before returning to action. After all, the ten-time All-Star missed the entire preseason, which was an opportunity to get him back into game shape and acclimated with the new system in real-time
Harden’s next chance to play under Nick Nurse’s system will come on Saturday when the Sixers host the Toronto Raptors, as he is certain to miss the team’s first game against the Bucks. Although Harden visiting Toronto is doubtful, it’s not impossible for him to go on a little road trip with the club. On Sunday, October 29, the 76ers will play their home opener against the Portland Trail Blazers when they return to Philadelphia.
Since Harden’s comeback isn’t scheduled, Sunday shouldn’t be completely ruled out. The Sixers, though, are determined to take their time reintroducing the guard to the game. In the event that Harden isn’t on the court.
