According to multiple reports, James Harden is expected to be out for a month after suffering a strained right leg tendon.
.jpeg)
Harden is in his second season with the 76ers and is averaging 22 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists per game while shooting 44.1% overall and 33.3% from 3-point range.
The Sixers are 4-5 this season and have played three of their last four games without star center Joel Embiid, who sat out the last time with an illness the team said was unrelated to COVID-19. Sixers coach Doc Rivers said Embiid has the flu and hasn't been with the team in recent days to prevent it from spreading around the locker room. Embiid, who is averaging 27.2 ppg and 9.5 rpg through six games, missed Monday and Wednesday night's games against Washington.
After a 4-4 start to the season, the Sixers are 0-1 this month and have games against several playoff-caliber teams between now and Dec. 3. The Sixers host the New York Knicks (3-4) on Friday (7 ET, NBA League Pass) and then nine of their next 13 foes are .500 or better.
In addition to the load Embiid will carry when he returns, much more will be expected of third-year guard Tyrese Maxey while Harden is gone. Maxey is averaging a career-best 24.2 ppg and career highs in shooting percentage (51.6% overall, 46.8% on 3-pointers) while adding 3.4 rpg and 3.4 apg. He has appeared in every game for Philadelphia and his 37.8 minutes per game is fifth in the NBA, but leads the NBA in total minutes played (339.7).
Embiid, who was the NBA MVP runner-up the last two seasons, missed last Thursday's game in Toronto with knee soreness.