76ers' Nick Nurse Addresses James Harden's Playing Status vs. Hawks

Nick Nurse addressed James Harden's absence at practice on Wednesday.

Everything was going well for the Philadelphia 76ers at the start of the week. Despite being shorthanded heading into the third preseason matchup, the Sixers found success against the Brooklyn Nets, cranking out a 127-119 victory. Monday’s win was the Sixers’ first victory of the preseason, moving their record to 1-2.

While Monday’s matchup offered some excitement, the anticipation for Friday’s game was much more significant. Not only were the Sixers scheduled to return home for the second and final time during the preseason, but the matchup was also expected to be the first time the star duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden shared the floor this preseason.

Through the first two games, Harden and Embiid got the night off to rest. Monday’s game was expected to be Embiid’s debut, but he was under the weather. Therefore, he was listed as not with the team. As for Harden, he wasn’t expected to play on Monday, but he wasn’t present for the team’s morning activities either. 

Instead, the star guard traveled to Houston after the Sixers’ Sunday morning practice session, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fisher. 

The Sixers took the day off on Tuesday, with plans to return to the practice facility in Camden, New Jersey, on Wednesday. For the first time since the Sixers’ first training camp session out in Colorado, Harden was a no-show, according to multiple reports.

Up until this point, Harden’s approach has shocked many. When the ten-time All-Star guard picked up his player option for the 2023-2024 NBA season and followed up that move with a trade request, it was assumed he wouldn’t re-connect with the Sixers at any point. His decision to show up for camp on October 4 was expected to create a distraction around the Sixers.

Not only did Harden participate in practice with the 76ers, but he also received praise from select teammates for the way he went about his business. Considering the way his previous standoffs played out with the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets, Harden was seemingly taking a different approach to his trade request this time around.

However, his absence from Wednesday’s practice shakes up the situation and is a result of Harden’s frustration towards the lack of traction on a deal getting done between the Sixers and the Clippers, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. 

Harden remains frustrated at the lack of progress towards a trade to the Clippers, sources close to him tell ESPN. https://t.co/ikpKaIiLze

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 18, 2023

Lately, there have been enough updates regarding the Harden saga to remind everybody that the two teams are still in contact. Yet, there hasn’t been any real progress made towards a deal, and that remains the case as of Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

As a result, Harden is shifting gears. Before, it was assumed that Harden planned to lay low while showing up for the Sixers in hopes that his total cooperation would lead the Clippers to ensure they get a deal done for the motivated guard before the season begins.

So far, that strategy has proven to be unsuccessful. Last week, Harden told reporters he was eyeing a potential preseason debut in Philly’s Friday night preseason finale against the Atlanta Hawks this week. By missing Wednesday’s practice, Harden hurt the chances of that happening. 

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Gina Mizell, Wednesday’s practice served as an “important” session for participants in Friday’s game. 

After the session, head coach Nick Nurse addressed Harden's absence.

“Listen, I think I stay with; if he’s here we go, and if he’s not here we go,” Nurse told reporters on Wednesday. “We got work to do.”

Nick Nurse on the James Harden situation, adding that he’s still looking for him to play Friday: pic.twitter.com/MOTDg2A6gB

— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) October 18, 2023

The head coach praised his players for keeping their focus on Wednesday despite the notable absence. Just as he’s said all offseason long, before Harden showed face at the team’s practice, Nurse wants to make sure that the team is ready for every scenario with or without Harden.

As far as Harden’s actual status for Friday goes, it seems the Sixers are still operating with the idea Harden could play.

“From the last discussions that I had with him and from everybody, yeah, it was a little bit [of a surprise],” Nurse added. “I’m still going on what he said the last time we talked to him, that he was getting ready to play Friday, so we’ll see how it goes.” 

The Sixers host the Hawks at 7:00 PM ET on Friday.