James Harden avoids 76ers practice onceagain, ‘unlikely’ to play in preseason ending

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden avoided practice Thursday for the 2nd straight day, with the group formally stating the annoyed gamer is away because of a individual matter.

“I think the company hasactually made it clear what’s going on,” coach Nick Nurse stated at the 76ers’ New Jersey complex. “They’re working on things, as we state, day by day. We had a actually excellent practice today. Very energetic. The guys that were here, that’s what we’re focused on.”

Harden has yet to play in the preseason. He did participatein training camp and continued to practice with the 76ers in the wake of his offseason trade need. Harden stated last week his fractured relationship with group president Daryl Morey might not be fixed — comparing it to a broken maritalrelationship — and stated over the summerseason that he might not play for the 76ers.

Part of Harden’s problem stems from his belief he must haveactually made a long-lasting agreement with the Sixers after last season. It neverever came, hence the trade need.

Harden, who was incrediblyelusive last week about the status of his trade need, stated he might attempt to play in the Sixers’ preseason ending on Friday versus Atlanta. Nurse, in his veryfirst season, stated Harden playing in the ending now appears “unlikely.”

“It’s been continuous for a long time now,” Nurse stated. “I’ve got a task to do with the guys that are here and we simply go to work. If that modifications, we’ll change. That’s what we do.”

[Related: Emotion vs. Analytics: Why James Harden and Daryl Morey were always destined to implode]

Harden hasactually been one of the league’s top gamers for the past years, winning 3 scoring titles and the 2018 league MVP award. He led the league in helps last season.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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