NBA: James Harden debut with 76ers on hold

James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on from the bench in the second half of the game against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on February 08, 2022 in New York City. Steven Ryan/Getty Images/AFP

Philadelphia 76ers fans will need to wait at least a few games before star guard James Harden takes the court with his new team.

Acquired Thursday in a trade-deadline deal with the Brooklyn Nets, Harden has been nursing a strained hamstring and hasn’t played since Feb. 2. He is due to arrive in Philadelphia this weekend, at which point he’ll be examined by the team’s medical staff.

The 76ers host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. The earliest Harden could play for the 76ers would be Tuesday night at home against the Boston Celtics.

The 76ers got Harden and forward Paul Millsap in exchange for fellow guards Ben Simmons and Seth Curry, center Andre Drummond and two first-round picks.

James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on December 08, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP

Simmons didn’t suit up for the 76ers this season, disgruntled with the team and wanting out. Harden’s displeasure with the Nets had grown, and with his free agency pending this summer, the Nets got a bounty in return by trading him instead of watching him walk away.

Second-year guard Tyrese Maxey said he welcomes the restart with the 32-year-old Harden, whom he grew up watching, and MVP candidate Joel Embiid.

“It’s going to be great,” Maxey said. “It’s two MVP-caliber players on top of what we have here already. … I just can’t wait.”

On the season, Harden has played in 44 games, averaging 22.5 points. He led the Nets with 10.2 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game.

The 76ers enter Friday’s game with a 32-22 record and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference but only three games behind the current top team, the Miami Heat.

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