Getty Image / Dustin Satloff
- Shooting Guard James Harden is about to embark on a new chapter in the NBA after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers
- Philly will reportedly rest Harden through the All-Star break due to a left hamstring injury but videos from practice reveal him a looking good
- Read more NBA articles here
The Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets had the season’s biggest trade last week when they swapped Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond (and draft picks) for James Harden and Paul Millsap. Simmons hadn’t played a minute for Philly this season and the 76ers look A LOT stronger with the arrival of James Harden to bolster current MVP-favorite Joel Embiid.
The Sixers have reportedly said that James Harden won’t appear for Philly until after the NBA All-Star Game this coming weekend, which would mean he’d miss games again the Celtics (at home) and the Bucks (on the road). ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reports Harden is rehabbing a left hamstring injury:
The Sixers say James Harden is out through the All-Star break as he continues to rehabilitate his left hamstring, and that he won’t play in the All-Star Game.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 14, 2022
That lingering left hamstring injury doesn’t appear to be hampering the shooting form of James Harden at all. Philly Voice Sixers reporter Kyle Neubeck, who I had the pleasure of spending a weekend with in Miami a few years ago to watch El Clasico Miami, was at the Philadelphia 76ers practice today and filmed James Harden dressed in Philly blue nailing threes.
First Look At James Harden Wearing 76ers Colors Draining 3’s
James Harden in Sixers colors pic.twitter.com/vkxXfLwp0V
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 14, 2022
Harden and Maxey getting shots up pic.twitter.com/heftuin1yG
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 14, 2022
Harden and Maxey getting off the dribble threes up pic.twitter.com/DWhPqxqL7f
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 14, 2022
Harden, Maxey, and Benny the Butcher pic.twitter.com/xTmoru5Edy
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 14, 2022
Kyle confirmed the report that Harden is out through the NBA All-Star Break
While on the surface it might look like James Harden is ready to start playing for the 76ers this week it’s confirmed he’ll continue to rehab that hamstring at least for this week and change.
James Harden is out through All-Star break (rehabilitation, left hamstring). In the interim, he will continue his treatment and on-court training. Harden will not participate in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game and an update on his playing status will be provided following the break
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 14, 2022
James Harden was selected as a member of Team LeBron for the NBA All-Star game but he’ll sit out to get healthier before joining Philly on the court, in theory, for their 2-game road trip against the Timberwolves and Knicks on February 25th and 27th, respectively.
The Brooklyn Nets were the sportsbook favorites to win the NBA title all season until the Harden trade. After that, the Phoenix Suns were tied with Brooklyn as the favorites. But Philly has moved up the list to +700. It remains to be seen how James Harden and MVP-favorite Joel Embiid will mesh together on the court but the next few weeks and months will certainly be exciting.