James Harden back with 76ers ahead of Thursday opener

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden joined his teammates for practice Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s season opener at Milwaukee, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

He skipped Monday’s practice and missed several practices last week as well as the last preseason game.

Harden has been looking for a trade since picking up his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season.

The Sixers said Friday that Harden was away from the team for a personal matter.

Harden has been frustrated for months because his wish to be traded to the LA Clippers has yet to be granted. He arrived late to training camp and continued to practice with the 76ers before missing practice last week.

Harden, who was tied with 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey since the latter brought him to the Houston Rockets in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder before the 2012 season -13, called Morey a “liar” during a shoe-in. event in China in August.

Harden said on Oct. 13 that there was no chance that relationship would be repaired, and he repeatedly called Morey “the front office” without saying his name.

“No,” Harden said flatly, when asked directly if he thought things could work out with Morey. “It’s not even about this situation, it’s life. When you lose trust in someone, it’s like a marriage… you lose trust in someone, you know what I mean say? It’s quite simple.”

Harden has been one of the best players in the league over the past decade, winning three scoring titles and the 2018 league MVP award. He led the league in assists last season.

Tim Bontemps of ESPN and the Associated Press contributed to this report.