James Harden Is Now a 76ers After Buzzer Beater Trade From Brooklyn Nets, but When Will His 1st Game for Philadelphia Be?

By Jess Smith First Posted: Feb 12, 2022 01:06 AM EST

Although newly acquired superstar guard James Harden has officially joined the Philadelphia 76ers, his debut will have to wait.

Harden did not join the team in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday and will not play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. He is anticipated to arrive in Philadelphia this weekend and be examined by the team's medical staff, tweeted PhillyVoice's Kyle Neubeck.

Averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game this season, ESPN reported that Harden missed the past week with hamstring tightness.

James Harden's Hand Strain Issues

The 10-time All-Star has not played since his four-point, 2-of-11 performance in Sacramento on the second game of a back-to-back.

According to Nets coach Steve Nash, James Harden "reported" feeling some tightness following the Brooklyn Nets' January 25 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Liberty Ballers reported.

With that issue, the step-back king would miss the next game against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. The three-time scoring champion then missed the next game due to a right "hand strain," saying at one point that he could not move the hand well enough to play in a game against the Warriors.

It was something he first noticed weeks prior. He then went on to play in two more games before discovering that his hamstring was still bothering him.

Finally, he missed the team's next three games before being traded to Philadelphia along with veteran big man Paul Millsap in exchange for Seth Curry, Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, and a pair of first-round picks on Thursday's deadline-day blockbuster.

Steve Nash highlighted that past experience prompted them all to be even more cautious this time around during Harden's last days in Brooklyn. Nash clarified last Sunday that there is a tightness and a strength deficit, "not a strain."

"We know last year we lost him for an extended period," said Nash. "We want to be conservative, make sure he resumes full strength so that there isn't an extended absence."

James Harden's Paperwork Not Finalized Due To Procedural Reasons

According to previous reports by ESPN and other outlets, James Harden had exercised his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season as part of his trade to the 76ers.

However, the opt-in was still not finalized due to procedural concerns, as the paperwork was not completed in time before the deadline. Harden may still opt-in, and in August, he will be eligible to sign a four-year, $223 million agreement with the 76ers.

Philadelphia's next game is Tuesday against the Boston Celtics following their weekend back-to-back. Tyrese Maxey, with whom James Harden will eventually share a backcourt, described it as a surreal experience to be teammates with someone he grew up watching.

"It's kind of crazy because he was one of the guys you played with on [NBA] 2K when you were a younger kid," Maxey said after shootaround Friday. "It's a cool deal, and I can't wait to meet him and get started."

As Philadelphia strives to get its new-look roster up to speed, Maxey said Sixers coach Doc Rivers reminded the team that practices and shootarounds would be more intense moving forward.

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Written by: Jess Smith

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