Harden, Embiid Teamed Up in Tough Session Preparing for Celtics

Joel Embiid and James Harden put in some work together ahead of the 76ers' preseason opener vs. Celtics.

The Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their four-day training session in Colorado on Friday. Following their final practice at Colorado State, the team traveled to Boston ahead of their preseason opener against the Boston Celtics. And yes, James Harden is with the team.

Nick Nurse kept training camp rolling this weekend, as the Sixers had a fifth-straight practice on Saturday afternoon. With the preseason opener against the Celtics on Sunday, Nurse wanted to ramp up another tough session to get guys ready for the grind of the season.

Considering James Harden joined the team after missing the first day of action on Tuesday, it took some time before the trade hopeful practiced in full with the Sixers. In Wednesday and Thursday’s sessions, Harden didn’t participate in any scrimmaging. On Friday, his status was upgraded to a full participant.

By Saturday, Nurse confirmed Harden was a full participant in a practice session that he described as a “real hard” training day. During the scrimmaging period, the ten-time All-Star teamed up with Philadelphia’s MVP center, Joel Embiid. The three other prospects weren’t revealed but were projected reserves for the team.

“I kind of mixed it up today,” Nurse told reporters following Saturday’s session. “James and Joel were on the same team, probably with a group of guys that probably weren’t starters — wouldn’t be starters normally. That’s how the teams ended up today. Just mixing it up and looking at different things.” 

Nurse has yet to confirm which players will suit up for Sunday’s preseason opener against the Celtics. 

“We still got to wait to see how it turns out,” he explained. “They all did go today, and we used it as a real hard kind of training day today. That doesn’t mean that they’re gonna be ready to go tomorrow. I’ll check with Simon, I think we’ll get them through these treatments here today and see how they feel tomorrow and we’ll make a decision tomorrow.”

Considering it’s the preseason opener, there’s a good chance both teams could give some of their notable rotational players a rest after ramping up the action in practice all week long. For the Sixers, all eyes will be on James Harden, who currently has an active trade request on the table.

The assumption throughout the offseason was that Harden would not play another game for the 76ers and desired a trade, specifically to the Los Angeles Clippers. After failing to get moved before training camp, Harden’s holdout lasted just two days.

Privately, Harden reportedly confirmed to the NBA that he wouldn’t go against his contract after picking up his player option with the Sixers for the 2023-2024 NBA season. In the event he’s not traded soon, Harden will likely play for the 76ers again. It’s just unclear if he’ll play as early as Sunday, considering he got a late start to training camp this week. 

The Sixers and the Celtics will tip off at 6:00 PM ET.