Sixers’ James Harden Expected to Return Early Next Week

Guard James Harden is targeting a return from a right foot strain next week, perhaps joining the 76ers as soon as Monday, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Harden, 33, has been out with the injury since the first week of November. Through nine games, he put up averages of 22.0 points, 10.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds.

Harden, center Joel Embiid and guard Tyrese Maxey have all missed time this season, as has forward Tobias Harris, and it’s led to a fairly uneven start for the Sixers. They enter Wednesday’s road game against the Cavaliers at 12-9 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

That said, they are starting to creep back up to contention, and a healthy Harden (and eventually, Maxey) could help keep them there.

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