Something is still amiss with James Harden. The 76ers point guard lacks the explosiveness he displayed while blowing past defenders with the Houston Rockets. It’s the result of the left hamstring tightness that sidelined Harden for most of February. “He’s still not there,” coach Doc Rivers said before Friday’s shootaround at UCLA. “But his miles per hour have increased. He’s … almost to the level of Houston as far as his miles per hour. He’s reached his top speed he hasn’t reached in two years. He’s still a work in progress. But [in] three weeks, we really feel at the time, he’ll be there at 100 percent.”
Source: Keith Pompey @ The Philadelphia Inquirer
Source: Keith Pompey @ The Philadelphia Inquirer
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
James Harden looking reallllll comfortable out there tonight.
His first half (!):
25 PTS / 11 REB / 2 AST
4-8 3fg / 9-9 FT – 11:42 PM
James Harden looking reallllll comfortable out there tonight.
His first half (!):
25 PTS / 11 REB / 2 AST
4-8 3fg / 9-9 FT – 11:42 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Clippers cut the deficit to 13 but then James Harden hit a technical FT and then 2 3-pointers and then an old-fashioned 3-point play and Sixers’ lead is back up to 60-39. – 11:38 PM
Clippers cut the deficit to 13 but then James Harden hit a technical FT and then 2 3-pointers and then an old-fashioned 3-point play and Sixers’ lead is back up to 60-39. – 11:38 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Harden is out here destroying the Clippers. He’s up to 23 points after ta three-point play with 1:31 left in the half. Sixers lead 60-39 – 11:38 PM
Harden is out here destroying the Clippers. He’s up to 23 points after ta three-point play with 1:31 left in the half. Sixers lead 60-39 – 11:38 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
James Harden cookin’. He’s got 20 on 5-of-8 shooting, 4-of-7 from 3 and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Absolutely looking for his shot tonight. – 11:37 PM
James Harden cookin’. He’s got 20 on 5-of-8 shooting, 4-of-7 from 3 and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Absolutely looking for his shot tonight. – 11:37 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Sixers blowing the doors off the Clippers when Joel is on the floor. But then their reluctance to just spread the floor for Harden with shooters when Embiid really stymies them. – 11:31 PM
Sixers blowing the doors off the Clippers when Joel is on the floor. But then their reluctance to just spread the floor for Harden with shooters when Embiid really stymies them. – 11:31 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Embiid has to be wondering a) why James Harden is sitting next to him on the bench as the Clippers make a predictable run and b) what DeAndre Jordan has over Doc – 11:21 PM
Embiid has to be wondering a) why James Harden is sitting next to him on the bench as the Clippers make a predictable run and b) what DeAndre Jordan has over Doc – 11:21 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
I’ve seen Morris and Kennard airball shots I haven’t seen them airball all season.
Alas
Clippers score on back-to-back possessions to start the second quarter and Doc Rivers calls a quality control timeout.
76ers still lead 36-23 with 11:12 left in first half – 11:14 PM
I’ve seen Morris and Kennard airball shots I haven’t seen them airball all season.
Alas
Clippers score on back-to-back possessions to start the second quarter and Doc Rivers calls a quality control timeout.
76ers still lead 36-23 with 11:12 left in first half – 11:14 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
76ers led by as many as 21 points in first quarter, and lead Clippers 35-19 after former Clipper Tobias Harris beats buzzer on set post-FT play.
Joel Embiid and James Harden are outscoring Clippers by themselves. And for third straight game, Clippers down 10+ after 12 minutes. pic.twitter.com/jR1GaIFkyO – 11:11 PM
76ers led by as many as 21 points in first quarter, and lead Clippers 35-19 after former Clipper Tobias Harris beats buzzer on set post-FT play.
Joel Embiid and James Harden are outscoring Clippers by themselves. And for third straight game, Clippers down 10+ after 12 minutes. pic.twitter.com/jR1GaIFkyO – 11:11 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers lead, 35-19, after one quarter. Embiid with 11 points and four rebounds. Harden has 10 points and five rebounds. Thybulle with six points, Harris five and Milton three. The Sixers are shooting 11-for-22 and 3-7 on threes. – 11:11 PM
#Sixers lead, 35-19, after one quarter. Embiid with 11 points and four rebounds. Harden has 10 points and five rebounds. Thybulle with six points, Harris five and Milton three. The Sixers are shooting 11-for-22 and 3-7 on threes. – 11:11 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Tobias Harris sinks a 3-pointer at the buzzer to effectively erase Luke Kennard’s three free throws and extend Philly’s lead to 35-19 at the end of the first quarter.
No Clipper has more than Hartentstein’s 5.
Embiied (11) and Harden (10) are 6-11 from the field so far. – 11:11 PM
Tobias Harris sinks a 3-pointer at the buzzer to effectively erase Luke Kennard’s three free throws and extend Philly’s lead to 35-19 at the end of the first quarter.
No Clipper has more than Hartentstein’s 5.
Embiied (11) and Harden (10) are 6-11 from the field so far. – 11:11 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Sixers 35, Clippers 19 at the end of the first. Sixers led by as many as 21 in the period, then the Clippers made a push on the (mostly) Sixers’ second unit before that 3 by Harris at the buzzer. Harden (10 and 5) and Embiid (11 and 4) both playing like stars right now. – 11:10 PM
Sixers 35, Clippers 19 at the end of the first. Sixers led by as many as 21 in the period, then the Clippers made a push on the (mostly) Sixers’ second unit before that 3 by Harris at the buzzer. Harden (10 and 5) and Embiid (11 and 4) both playing like stars right now. – 11:10 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Not sure if that was Harden showcasing some speed or RoCo just being incapable of staying in front of anyone who can put the ball on the deck, but Harden blew him right off the court with that drive. – 11:03 PM
Not sure if that was Harden showcasing some speed or RoCo just being incapable of staying in front of anyone who can put the ball on the deck, but Harden blew him right off the court with that drive. – 11:03 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Light work early for the @Philadelphia 76ers, who lead, 21-7, after 7 minutes of play.
Harden: 8 PTS / 4 REB
Thybulle: 6 PTS / 2 STL
Embiid: 5 PTS / 4 REB – 10:56 PM
Light work early for the @Philadelphia 76ers, who lead, 21-7, after 7 minutes of play.
Harden: 8 PTS / 4 REB
Thybulle: 6 PTS / 2 STL
Embiid: 5 PTS / 4 REB – 10:56 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Harden head-butts the basket after that and-1. Just feels like he’s got more oomph than in recent game. Up to 8 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist. – 10:53 PM
Harden head-butts the basket after that and-1. Just feels like he’s got more oomph than in recent game. Up to 8 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist. – 10:53 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
James Harden with the step-three followed by a block, leading to an assist to Matisse Thybulle. Then Thybulle gets a breakaway dunk on the next possession. #Sixers lead 9-5. – 10:46 PM
James Harden with the step-three followed by a block, leading to an assist to Matisse Thybulle. Then Thybulle gets a breakaway dunk on the next possession. #Sixers lead 9-5. – 10:46 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
76ers defense turned up, with Matisse Thybulle getting back to back break dunks following a Reggie Jackson pick-six and a James Harden block of a Nicolas Batum 3.
9-5 76ers lead with 8:55 left in first quarter. – 10:46 PM
76ers defense turned up, with Matisse Thybulle getting back to back break dunks following a Reggie Jackson pick-six and a James Harden block of a Nicolas Batum 3.
9-5 76ers lead with 8:55 left in first quarter. – 10:46 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
James Harden buries his first off-the-dribble 3, then tosses the lob to Thybulle for the alley-oop slam. Good sign for him early on. – 10:44 PM
James Harden buries his first off-the-dribble 3, then tosses the lob to Thybulle for the alley-oop slam. Good sign for him early on. – 10:44 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
A smattering of boos as Doc Rivers is introduced as the Sixers’ coach against his former team. – 10:37 PM
A smattering of boos as Doc Rivers is introduced as the Sixers’ coach against his former team. – 10:37 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Heat have lost to:
Sixers, less Embiid and Harden
Warriors, less Curry, Green, and Thompson
Knicks, blowing a 15-point lead going into 4Q
MIL now .5 back of the 1-seed; PHI, BOS both 1 game back.
A brutal week in South FL. – 10:35 PM
Heat have lost to:
Sixers, less Embiid and Harden
Warriors, less Curry, Green, and Thompson
Knicks, blowing a 15-point lead going into 4Q
MIL now .5 back of the 1-seed; PHI, BOS both 1 game back.
A brutal week in South FL. – 10:35 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
The Heat have lost 3 straight games to:
— Sixers without Embiid/Harden
— Warriors without Steph/Klay/Dray
— Knicks without Randle
They had a 4Q lead in all 3 games. pic.twitter.com/2sctK2tKsJ – 10:34 PM
The Heat have lost 3 straight games to:
— Sixers without Embiid/Harden
— Warriors without Steph/Klay/Dray
— Knicks without Randle
They had a 4Q lead in all 3 games. pic.twitter.com/2sctK2tKsJ – 10:34 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
LUE
Nicolas Batum
Marcus Morris Sr.
Ivica Zubac
Amir Coffey
Reggie Jackson
DOC
Matisse Thybulle
Tobias Harris
Joel Embiid
Tyrese Maxey
James Harden – 10:09 PM
LUE
Nicolas Batum
Marcus Morris Sr.
Ivica Zubac
Amir Coffey
Reggie Jackson
DOC
Matisse Thybulle
Tobias Harris
Joel Embiid
Tyrese Maxey
James Harden – 10:09 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Doc Rivers with a quick Mike Fratello defensive story. pic.twitter.com/gE6Ndg0fmM – 9:09 PM
Doc Rivers with a quick Mike Fratello defensive story. pic.twitter.com/gE6Ndg0fmM – 9:09 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Doc Rivers explains why he hates coaching against Ty Lue. pic.twitter.com/Pp7OmeZQl2 – 9:06 PM
Doc Rivers explains why he hates coaching against Ty Lue. pic.twitter.com/Pp7OmeZQl2 – 9:06 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sixers coach Doc Rivers is still proud of his coaching accomplishments with L.A. Clippers inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 2:53 PM
Sixers coach Doc Rivers is still proud of his coaching accomplishments with L.A. Clippers inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 2:53 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Sixers coach Doc Rivers facing his former team tonight against the Clippers: “My time here was well spent. You look at the Clippers; they’re on the map. That was the goal. When I first came there, they were a laughing stock.” – 2:48 PM
Sixers coach Doc Rivers facing his former team tonight against the Clippers: “My time here was well spent. You look at the Clippers; they’re on the map. That was the goal. When I first came there, they were a laughing stock.” – 2:48 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Sixers’ James Harden backs teammate Joel Embiid for MVP: ‘He deserves it, man’
cbssports.com/nba/news/sixer… – 1:09 PM
Sixers’ James Harden backs teammate Joel Embiid for MVP: ‘He deserves it, man’
cbssports.com/nba/news/sixer… – 1:09 PM
Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
James Harden touts Joel Embiid for MVP award – ‘He deserves it, man’ espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 10:54 AM
James Harden touts Joel Embiid for MVP award – ‘He deserves it, man’ espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 10:54 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Players in NBA history to average 25/5/5 with a .800 record or better:
Bird (1985-86)*
Jordan (1991-92)*
Barkley (1992-93)*
LeBron (2008-09)*
LeBron (2012-13)*
Steph (2015-16)*
Steph (2017-18)
Harden (2017-18)*
Giannis (2019-20)*
Booker this season
*Won MVP pic.twitter.com/444BzckSxa – 9:59 AM
Players in NBA history to average 25/5/5 with a .800 record or better:
Bird (1985-86)*
Jordan (1991-92)*
Barkley (1992-93)*
LeBron (2008-09)*
LeBron (2012-13)*
Steph (2015-16)*
Steph (2017-18)
Harden (2017-18)*
Giannis (2019-20)*
Booker this season
*Won MVP pic.twitter.com/444BzckSxa – 9:59 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
The @Toronto Raptors Fred VanVleet made two 3P in last night’s win over the Cavs.
Why is that noteworthy? He has made multiple 3P in each of his last 38 games, the fourth-longest such streak in NBA history:
53 – Stephen Curry
50 – Curry
40 – Paul George
38 – VanVleet
37 – James Harden pic.twitter.com/5VhPnb9mGh – 9:21 AM
The @Toronto Raptors Fred VanVleet made two 3P in last night’s win over the Cavs.
Why is that noteworthy? He has made multiple 3P in each of his last 38 games, the fourth-longest such streak in NBA history:
53 – Stephen Curry
50 – Curry
40 – Paul George
38 – VanVleet
37 – James Harden pic.twitter.com/5VhPnb9mGh – 9:21 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#LockedOnSixers Discussing Tyrese Maxey’s Sixers presence, Doc Rivers’ Clippers homecomi… youtu.be/LQInKBECibY via @YouTube – 8:08 AM
#LockedOnSixers Discussing Tyrese Maxey’s Sixers presence, Doc Rivers’ Clippers homecomi… youtu.be/LQInKBECibY via @YouTube – 8:08 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
‘Discussing Tyrese Maxey’s Sixers presence, Doc Rivers’ Clippers homecoming and if it’s a trap game’ by Locked On 76ers – Daily Podcast On The Philadelphia Sixers megaphone.link/LKN2807064135 – 8:05 AM
‘Discussing Tyrese Maxey’s Sixers presence, Doc Rivers’ Clippers homecoming and if it’s a trap game’ by Locked On 76ers – Daily Podcast On The Philadelphia Sixers megaphone.link/LKN2807064135 – 8:05 AM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
James Harden is not listed on the Sixers’ injury report for tomorrow’s game at the Clippers. He got kneed in the quad during last night’s win over the Lakers and briefly left the game but returned. – 8:06 PM
James Harden is not listed on the Sixers’ injury report for tomorrow’s game at the Clippers. He got kneed in the quad during last night’s win over the Lakers and briefly left the game but returned. – 8:06 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Interrupt the Nova game for quick injury report status:
After respective injury scares last night, neither Joel Embiid nor James Harden are listed on the injury report for PHI vs LAC tomorrow night.
Robert Covington questionable for the Clips with a sprained right hand. – 8:01 PM
Interrupt the Nova game for quick injury report status:
After respective injury scares last night, neither Joel Embiid nor James Harden are listed on the injury report for PHI vs LAC tomorrow night.
Robert Covington questionable for the Clips with a sprained right hand. – 8:01 PM
More on this storyline
The Sixers think Harden is in good hands with Simon Rice, the team’s vice president of athletic care. “We’re lucky. Simon wrote three or four books on hamstring injuries,” Rivers said. “It’s just luck that he’s on our staff. James has bought into him 100 percent. It’s funny that the big thing with James, once he had those injuries, you could tell he didn’t want to play at top speed, because that’s how you hurt it. Simon’s philosophy is the exact opposite to get him playing at that speed to condition the hamstring to be able to play at that speed.” -via The Philadelphia Inquirer / March 25, 2022
Ira Winderman: Philadelphia is holding James Harden out of tonight‘s game in Miami due to a hamstring. -via Twitter @IraHeatBeat / March 5, 2022