After a slow start to the season, things aren’t getting any easier for the 76ers. Former MVP James Harden will miss one month after suffering a right foot tendon strain, a story broken by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and confirmed by NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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
Philadelphia hasn’t started the season as well as they planned. In their first full season with Harden, they lost their first three games and four of their first five. They had won three in a row before losing to Washington on Wednesday night.
Without their point guard for around a month, Doc Rivers will have to rely on Joel Embiid to lead the team the way he did at the beginning of last season before the Harden trade. Tyrese Maxey, who has blossomed to start the season, will also need to take another step up to help the team stay afloat.
Their depth should help them get through this phase of the season with Harden. The off-season additions of De’Anthony Melton and P.J. Tucker will be relied on to make big impacts on both sides of the floor.
Perhaps playing without Harden will allow the team to grow and be ready for his return to the floor in December, but only time will tell.