James Harden’s Absence Is Already Leaving Fans Confused About NBA’s New Participation Rules

The 76ers added to the confusion surrounding the star guard’s status after sending him home before the team’s season opener.

The latest twist in James Harden’s ongoing saga with the 76ers created a quite a distraction on Thursday ahead of the club’s season opener against the Bucks in Milwaukee.

The questions began after Philadelphia’s decision to reportedly send Harden, who’s been at odds with team brass all offseason, home just 24 hours after he returned to the team after a 10-day absence. Shortly thereafter, the NBA announced it would be “looking into” Harden’s absence to see if it violated the league’s new player participation policy.

Established in September, the policy requires NBA teams to submit an approved reason, i.e. injury or excused reasons, for sitting “star” players in order to maintain a competitive balance and promote player participation.

Harden isn’t injured—his absence instead stems from tension between himself and the team amid a potential trade. As the 76ers went to tip off their season, many fans were left confused as to what conclusion the NBA would come to in their investigation.

For national TV games, a "star" player is excused for:

1. Injury

2. Personal reasons

3. Rare and unusual circumstances

There is certainly a grey area with Harden considering that he is not injured but the 76ers feel that he is not game ready.

Not sure how the NBA would see… https://t.co/PZaMDQXeUE

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 26, 2023

He hasn’t played since June and hasn’t done any ramp-up at all? This seems pretty open and shut to me. https://t.co/VevB5QcX4W

— Harrison Grimm (@Harrison_Grimm) October 26, 2023

"He didn't show up to training camp" seems like a better reason than "sore back" https://t.co/tp8inlr5Kw

— Eric Freeman (@freemaneric) October 26, 2023

??? you literally less than 48 hours ago said he isn't with the team cause the team said he needed to ramp up

— Djboss (@DjbossNA) October 26, 2023

ESPN has been talking about this man all day, but needed to call Adam Silver to ask why he's not playing? Make it make sense... https://t.co/Qxq2wVWMYj

— Roy Burton (@TheBSLine) October 26, 2023

The NBA: the only workplace where "he is actively harmful to our whole deal" may or may not be a valid reason for telling someone not to come to work. https://t.co/f0hNyQav3N

— Mike Piellucci (@mikelikessports) October 26, 2023