The Philadelphia 76ers’ surprise decision to sit James Harden during the NBA season opener grabbed attention. The Sixers were scheduled to play the Milwaukee Bucks, but Harden, a key player to their team, was notably absent.
The Sixers’ decision to bench Harden, a former MVP and star player, added drama to the game and sparked discussion over the team’s strategy. It is important to look into the Sixers’ decision and how it may affect their performance in the high-stakes NBA season opening versus the Bucks.
NBA to scrutinize Sixers’ call to bench James Harden
The NBA has opened an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers’ decision to sit James Harden for their season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, to see if the action is in accordance with the league’s player participation policy. This action acts as a preliminary evaluation for new laws aimed at increasing the presence of elite players in nationally broadcast games.
The Sixers elected to keep Harden in Philadelphia when he returned from a 10-day absence due to a “personal matter.” The organization believed he might improve his game preparation by working with their development coaches and medical experts. The NBA’s participation policy provides for exclusions for injuries, personal reasons, and “rare and unusual circumstances,” with teams facing escalating fines.
The NBA is investigating whether the 76ers and James Harden are in violation of the league's new player participation policy, a league spokesman told ESPN. https://t.co/VDPUeqw8pn
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) October 26, 2023
Harden’s absence from the team could be linked in part to his displeasure with the organization’s unwillingness to honor his trade request to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers just withdrew from trade talks after months of negotiations, but they may reconsider later in the season after analyzing their team around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Sixers’ opening night disappointment with Bucks
The Philadelphia 76ers’ eagerly awaited season opening against the Milwaukee Bucks ended in disappointment as they were defeated by the Bucks by a score of 118-117. The basketball world looked forward to this hotly contested encounter with bated breath. However, one notable absentee dominated the debates: James Harden.
BUCKS WIN! pic.twitter.com/PmBypuCYUV
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 27, 2023
Harden was a notable missing, and his absence remains a mystery, maybe due to his trade request to the Los Angeles Clippers. The loss highlighted how important Harden’s absence was. With Joel Embiid’s 24-point outburst, the Sixers battled the Bucks but fell short.
Despite the early season letdown, the Sixers still have a full season ahead of them to live up to their high expectations. How they handle the Harden scenario, both in terms of NBA scrutiny and team relationships, will most certainly shape their season. For fans, it was an exhilarating but disappointing first night, laying the groundwork for the unpredictability and drama that the NBA season promises.
