James Harden's Status For 76ers-Bucks Game

James Harden has been ruled out for Thursday's game.

On Thursday evening, the Philadelphia 76ers will play their first game of the regular season when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks in Wisconsin.

However, they will be without one of their best players, as James Harden has been ruled out.

Via Chris Haynes of the NBA on TNT and Bleacher Report on Wednesday: 

"Update: James Harden will not travel with the team to Milwaukee today, sources tell @NBAonTNT,@BleacherReport. He will remain in Philadelphia to continue his ramp up."

Update: James Harden will not travel with the team to Milwaukee today, sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. He will remain in Philadelphia to continue his ramp up. https://t.co/C7tyGZETxM

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 25, 2023

Harden is coming off another strong season where he averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 44.1% from the field and 38.5% from the three-point range in 58 games. 

The 76ers were the third seed in the Eastern Conference and swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. 

However, they lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round (in seven games).  

Reporting for NBA Countdown: With the season starting, the Clippers are stepping back from James Harden trade talks pic.twitter.com/6KqCRqrJls

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2023

Harden has played 14 seasons in the league for the 76ers, Nets, Thunder and Rockets. 

The former Arizona State star has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 44.2% from the field and 36.3% from the three-point range in 1,000 regular season games (he has also appeared in 160 NBA playoff games).   

James Harden returned to Philly last night "with his bags packed to join team on the road," but the Sixers have now asked him not to travel with the team, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/tkwosBrRjr

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 25, 2023

Meanwhile, the Bucks are also playing their first game of the season, which means it will be the debut of Damian Lillard playing with Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Lillard had spent 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers before getting traded to Milwaukee over the offseason. 

More on the Philadelphia 76ers can be read here