NBA Investigating James Harden, his absence from the opening of the Philadelphia 76ers’ season is under scrutiny by the NBA. The league is looking into whether there’s a valid reason for his non-participation, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
NBA Investigating James Harden Absence From 76ers’ Road Trip
Harden, a 10-time All-Star, will not be playing in the team’s season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks or the game against the Toronto Raptors. Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes previously mentioned that Harden attempted to join the team for the road games but was prevented from boarding the plane by a security official.
This incident followed Harden’s ten-day absence, during which he skipped practice to spend time in Houston. On the day the team was scheduled to leave, he arrived with his bags packed. Consequently, the coaching staff decided to keep him in Philadelphia to avoid distractions, according to Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill.
According to Haynes, the team had wanted Harden to stay home and prepare for his season debut. However, Harden had a different understanding of the situation.
The NBA’s new Player Participation Policy, which includes requirements for star players to be available for nationally televised games, raises questions about the handling of Harden by the 76ers as the season begins. While there are exceptions for personal reasons and injuries, the league will determine whether Harden’s situation qualifies for any of these allowances.
This investigation is the second regarding Harden and the Sixers this season. The NBA previously launched an inquiry when Harden made comments during a trip to China, resulting in a $100,000 fine, the maximum penalty the league can impose.
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