By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
James Harden is expected to be sidelined for one month.
Harden, 33, suffered a right foot tendon strain and will shift to the injury list of the Philadelphia 76ers, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Starting in the first nine games of the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season, the 2018 NBA MVP averaged 22.0 points, 10.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks per contest. The injury setback will force fellow star Joel Embiid into even bigger offensive responsibilities, while possibly creating an opportunity for Turkish guard Furkan Korkmaz to sneak into the rotation of head coach Doc Rivers.
Harden was in action and sustained the injury Wednesday evening. He logged 24 points, ten assists, five rebounds, and one steal over 35 minutes. The Sixers were defeated by the Washington Wizards and fell to 4-5 in the Regular Season.
De’Anthony Melton missed the game with lower back soreness. Starting in his place, Matisse Thybulle exited in the third quarter after injuring his ankle. Moving forward, the 76ers will wrap up a three-game homestand hosting the New York Knicks Friday and Phoenix Suns Monday.
The NBA All-Star since 2013 landed in Philadelphia via trade last February. After eliminating the Toronto Raptors in six games, his side fell in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Miami Heat in six games. From signing a new contract in July to a setback early in his first full season at the organization.
Coming out of Arizona State, he was selected third overall in the 2009 NBA draft. Former NBA teams are the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets.
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