James Harden was a no-show for practice on Wednesday and it’s unclear why.
The Philadelphia 76ers guard continues to show that he doesn’t want to be with his team. And as Shams Charania of The Athletic reported, Harden hasn’t been present since Sunday.
While trade talks remain, it’s unsurprising to many that Harden is in Houston, not Philly.
James Harden is a no show at Philadelphia 76ers practice today, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Harden has not been present with the team since Sunday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 18, 2023
Here’s how the NBA world reacted to Harden’s absence.
With the Clippers deal now essentially being dead, Harden’s camp is now engaging in an ostensibly desperate PR offensive against the Sixers, lobbying accusations that date back to his time in Brooklyn.
James Harden quits on a team & torches them on his way out, Part 3.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) October 18, 2023
So it begins…. https://t.co/PpRlAti31t
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 18, 2023
James Harden pic.twitter.com/S30UNURlRd
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) October 18, 2023
Teammate Joel Embid was asked about Harden’s absence and how it could impact the team. He said he was unsure why he wasn’t there.
“I don’t know,” Embid told reporters. “Maybe he has something to do, I’m not sure. So, but — we had a good practice — we competed, went up and down a little bit, was great for me, and I’m still coming back and feeling myself, but I thought today was great.”
Joel Embiid, who goes on to say team had a good practice, on James Harden’s absence: “Maybe he had something to do” pic.twitter.com/FelUC0oqpf
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 18, 2023
“He wasn’t here today, so obviously I think he probably had something important to do or something came up.”
– Joel Embiid on James Harden’s absence
(Via @PHLY_Sixers) pic.twitter.com/JkVpWjrtjI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 18, 2023
James Harden spotted hooping in Houston pic.twitter.com/7hg8mIVavM
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) October 18, 2023
There are also monetary obligations if Harden continues this.
James Harden could be subjected to a $389,082 fine for every preseason and regular season game he misses without the consent of the team.
The fine would fall under “failure to render services”.
There’s also a minimal fine (starting at $2500)for missing practice.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 18, 2023
Harden has requested a trade many times from the 76ers and did say he would make things uncomfortable until it happens. One of the bigger rumors has Harden landing in Los Angeles with the Clippers, but it would appear there isn’t much movement in those talks.
The 76ers season starts Oct. 26 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.