James Harden set to make Sixers debut Friday night against Timberwolves
James Harden isn't listed on the 76ers' official injury report for the road date with the Timberwolves, so he'll make his eagerly awaited Sixers' debut Friday night.
Acquired at the Feb. 10 trade deadline in a blockbuster deal from the Nets involving Ben Simmons, Harden hasn't played since Feb. 2 due to left hamstring tightness.
Harden was selected to last Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, which was his 10th, in Cleveland but didn't participate because of the hamstring.
The 32-year-old Harden averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 assists (second in the NBA) and 8 rebounds in 44 outings for Brooklyn this season. Harden's scoring, field goal percentage (.414) and 3-point percentage (.332) are his lowest numbers since joining the Rockets in 2012.
Harden's 13-year professional career averages are 25 points, 6.7 assists, 5.6 rebounds and .362 shooting from behind the arc.
Fans are eager to see Harden, who was league MVP in 2017-18 with Houston, pair with star center Joel Embiid for the 35-23 Sixers, who have won nine of their last 13 outings and have 24 games left in the regular season. The team, including Harden, practiced late Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Embiid is averaging a league-high 29.6 points and, when combined with Harden, 52.1 this season. Only the Bulls' duo of DeMar DeRozan (28.1) and Zach LaVine (24.6) has accounted for more points (52.7).
The 6-foot-5 Harden has progressively done more at Sixers workouts since his initial Feb. 14 practice. The team was off for nearly a week due to the all-star break.
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While backcourt mate Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris are the Sixers' other starters alongside Harden and Embiid, it's unclear if Matisse Thybulle or veteran Danny Green will take the fifth spot.
Thybulle is a terrific defender but only shooting .288 from 3-point range, while the 34-year-old Green (.383 on 3s) would be a better fit with Harden and Embiid on offense but doesn't defend at Thybulle's level.
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes; @TomMoorePhilly