NBA Playoffs: 76ers Offer Health Update on James Harden

How is James Harden looking as the 76ers prepare for the NBA Playoffs?

In just a few days, the Philadelphia 76ers will begin the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. As the regular season winded down, the Sixers entered the final few games without their star guard James Harden on the floor.

For the last few weeks, Harden has been dealing with Achilles soreness. From the beginning of March until the end of the season, Harden missed eight of the final 21 games. 

Although he was out for the final two matchups, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers made it clear that Harden will be healthy and available for Game 1 of the series against the Brooklyn Nets. 

On Tuesday, the Sixers returned to the practice court for their first session ahead of the postseason. As expected, Harden was a participant. Afterward, Doc Rivers offered an update on Harden regarding his health.

“James is healthy now,” said Rivers. “Last year, that had to be tough. I’ve never been injured that late and getting in the playoffs. Not being in great shape in the playoffs is not a great place to be because everybody’s running it at their maximum level of physicality and mentally and if you’re not, it’s not gonna go well for you. So, James found that out last year.”

Last season, Harden battled a hamstring injury throughout the regular season and the playoff run. In the first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, Harden averaged 41 minutes on the floor. During that time, he put up 19 points per game while dishing out ten assists per game. 

In the second round, those numbers decreased. Harden spent an average of 39 minutes on the floor, putting up 18 points per game and dishing out seven assists per game. The Sixers came up short against the Miami Heat, getting eliminated in the second round.

Harden looked forward to entering the offseason without having to go through rehab. While he wasn’t fully healthy throughout the 2022-2023 NBA season, as a foot injury sidelined him for a month, and now the Achilles soreness has popped up, the Sixers seem to believe he’s in much better shape this time around as the Brooklyn battle approaches. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.