After a rough start to the 2022-23 season, the 76ers will have to get back on track without star guard James Harden in the fold.
Just nine games into the season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Harden has suffered a right foot tendon strain that will sideline the 33-year-old indefinitely.
The news comes after Harden took a $15 million pay cut to remain in Philadelphia and allow the franchise to become more title-ready with the flexibility to make offseason acquisitions. At training camp, Harden said he felt great physically and through nine games, is averaging 22.0 points, 10.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds for the Sixers, who stumbled to a 4-5 record.
What’s next for Harden? Here is what we know about his injury and when he could return to the floor for the Sixers.
What is James Harden’s injury?
According to Wojnarowski, Harden has suffered a right foot tendon strain. The news comes just one day after Harden saw 35 minutes of playing time in a loss to the Wizards.
It is unclear when exactly the injury occurred, but Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Harden was walking with a noticeable limp following the game and declined to speak with media.
Harden had a limp in the locker room after last night’s game (and declined to speak to the media) https://t.co/WeK2hU74qH
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) November 3, 2022
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How long will James Harden be out?
Wojnarowski’s reporting indicates that Harden “is expected to miss a month” of action. For now, Harden could be looked upon to return to the lineup in early December.
ESPN Sources: Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden has suffered right foot tendon strain and is expected to miss a month. pic.twitter.com/LHEIucfbFj
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 3, 2022
Last season, Harden missed six of a possible 27 games with the Sixers due to injury management of his knee and hamstring. Hamstring issues also limited Harden during his time in Brooklyn, severely impacting his lone postseason run with the Nets.
76ers schedule 2022-23
The 76ers’ next game comes at home against the Knicks on Friday, Nov. 4. It is the first of 14 games scheduled over the next month.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Knicks | 7 p.m. | |
| Nov. 7 | vs. Suns | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 10 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 12 | vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Nov. 13 | vs. Jazz | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Nov. 18 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 19 | vs. Timberwolves | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 22 | vs. Nets | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Nov. 23 | at Hornets | 7 p.m. | |
| Nov. 25 | at Magic | 7 p.m. | |
| Nov. 27 | at Magic | 6 p.m. | |
| Nov. 28 | vs. Hawks | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 30 | at Cavaliers | 7 p.m. | |
| Dec. 2 | at Grizzlies | 8 p.m. | |
| Dec. 5 | at Rockets | 8 p.m. |
James Harden career stats, highlights
- 24.9 points per game
- 6.8 assists per game
- 5.6 rebounds per game
- 44.2 field goal percentage
- 36.1 3-point field goal percentage
