2 min read • February 14, 2022
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James Harden, the former Nets shooting guard, will not make his 76ers debut until after the All-Star break because of a lingering left hamstring injury.
The 32-year-old will not play in the All-Star Game as he reportedly continues his hamstring rehabilitation and on-court training with Philadelphia.
The ProBasketballDocs do not view Harden's hamstring situation as concerning. All players involved in a trade undergo a physical exam prior to completion of the trade.
If the 76ers medical staff saw any concerning long-term signs with Harden's hamstring, the deal likely would not have gone through.
By video of Harden in practice Monday, he did not look to be favoring his left hamstring. He was taking step back jumpers as usual and moving around well.
The 76ers first game after the All-Star break is against the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Friday, February 25.
Philadelphia then plays a nationally televised game at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks on Sunday, February 27.
The ProBasketballDocs project he will make his debut in one of those two games.
Harden has missed 8 games since Jan. 25 with "hamstring tightness." In his final two games with the Nets on February 1 and 2, he averaged 37 minutes but struggled shooting in the second game of the back-to-back.
After a four-point performance on 2-11 shooting against the Kings, he did not play the final six games before he was dealt, along with Paul Millsap, to the 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks.
Harden's hamstring should not bother him in the second half of the season.
He may have a minutes restriction in his debut but should play his usual minutes after that.
At 34-22, the 76ers sit in fifth place in the East, a half-game behind Cleveland and Milwaukee, and 2.5 games behind the first-place Heat.
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