Getty Image / Sarah Stier
Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden has had a few days off during the NBA Playoffs after Philly swept Brooklyn in the first round.
After Boston finished off the Atlanta Hawks (4-2) on Thursday, James Harden and the Sixers will now face the Celtics in the Conference Semis. Prior to their first game in Boston on Monday, James Harden will certainly be asked about this footage of him in Las Vegas.
TMZ Sports obtained footage of James Harden arguing with someone in his entourage outside of a Las Vegas casino this week.
Harden can be seen jawing with the person before disrespectfully slapping him in the face.
They don’t specify which day the video was filmed, just that it was ‘earlier this week.’
No charges were filed so there isn’t a lot of information about the incident. Las Vegas PD told TMZ Sports they have had no incidents reported related to James Harden.
Eyewitnesses said that Harden and the person he was arguing with later entered the casino together. So it was likely a ‘water under the bridge’ situation. But it is almost certainly something James Harden will be asked about ahead of Philly’s matchup with Boston.
On Twitter, some NBA fans pondered why James Harden is in Las Vegas while the playoffs are going on. He had the days off but it’s still a valid question.
The Boston Celtics dominated the season series with a 3-1 head-to-head record. It remains to be seen if MVP-favorite Joel Embiid will be healthy enough to play in Game 1 after sustaining a knee sprain.