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CAMDEN, N.J.— Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden skipped NBA observe Thursday for the second straight day, with the workforce formally saying the disgruntled participant is away due to a private matter.
“I believe the group has made it clear what’s occurring,” coach Nick Nurse mentioned on the 76ers’ New Jersey complicated. “They’re engaged on stuff, as we are saying, day-to-day. We had a extremely good observe right now. Very energetic. The blokes that had been right here, that’s what we’re centered on.”
Harden has but to play within the preseason. He did attend training camp and continued to observe with the 76ers within the wake of his offseason commerce demand. Harden mentioned final week his fractured relationship with workforce president Daryl Morey couldn’t be repaired — evaluating it to a damaged marriage — and mentioned over the summer season that he couldn’t play for the 76ers.
A part of Harden’s criticism stems from his perception he ought to have earned a long-term contract with the Sixers after final season. It by no means got here, thus the commerce demand.
Harden, who was evasive final week concerning the standing of his commerce demand, mentioned he might attempt to play within the Sixers’ preseason finale on Friday in opposition to Atlanta. Nurse, in his first season, mentioned Harden taking part in within the finale now appears “unlikely.”
“It’s been ongoing for a very long time now,” Nurse mentioned. “I’ve acquired a job to do with the blokes which might be right here, and we simply go to work. If that modifications, we’ll regulate. That’s what we do.”
Harden has been one of many league’s prime gamers for the previous decade, profitable three scoring titles and the 2018 league MVP award. He led the league in assists final season.
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