Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Newly acquired 76ers star James Harden out at least next two games

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/11/22

The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers completed one of the most epic day-of NBA trade deadline blockbusters in recent memory on Thursday, but it doesn't look like the new Sixers prize will be suiting up quite yet.

A team official also confirmed to @thephillyvoice that Harden is not expected to play this weekend. He’ll arrive in Philly area this weekend and will be evaluated by the Sixers’ performance staff at that time
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 11, 2022

Philadelphia will host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at home at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The team will then have Sunday and Monday off, before hosting the division-rival Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Harden is currently second in the NBA in assists per game (10.2) and inside the top-20 in points per game (22.5). The 2017-18 league MVP has missed four straight contests with a hamstring injury though and leaves the ice-cold Nets who have lost 10 in a row.

Neubeck further reported that contrary to other media outlets saying otherwise on Thursday, Harden hasn't yet exercised his opt-in clause with his new squad, which would lock him in with the Sixers for next season as well.

source familiar with the situation tells @thephillyvoice James Harden did not opt into the next year of his deal yesterday, as was reported elsewhere.

Sixers and Harden are both confident and feeling good about where they stand long term, but an important detail nonetheless
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 11, 2022