Report: Security stopped James Harden from joining Sixers on plane

James Harden was denied by security from joining the Philadelphia 76ers on their plane to Milwaukee.

The James Harden saga took another turn on Wednesday when the future Hall of Famer showed up to practice after being away from the team due to a personal matter. It appears Harden, who still wants a trade out of Philadelphia, wants to play in games for the Sixers again.

However, Philadelphia begins the season on the road, and they did not want Harden traveling with them to Milwaukee and Toronto. Coach Nick Nurse explained he had been away from the team for 10 days, and the Sixers want him to work out at the team’s facility in Camden, New Jersey, to ramp things up before he returns to the floor.

However, it appears Harden did not totally agree with the idea. Per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, The Beard showed up to the airport to join the team on the trip to Milwaukee, but he was denied from boarding the plane by security:

Initially, staying back was interpreted as a suggestion rather than a mandate, sources say. Harden proceeded to participate in portions of the session with the intention of joining the the team on the flight to Milwaukee that afternoon.

After practice, Harden arrived at the fixed-base operator airport to board the team flight, but he was stopped by a security official who notified him he was not permitted to accompany the team, sources say.

General manager Elton Brand and head coach Nick Nurse spoke to Harden to explain that the organization prefers he accepts and follows their workout plan, which includes staying at the practice facility while the team is away, sources say.

Nurse did not guarantee that Harden will return to the floor when the Sixers take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in the home opener. He did say he wants Harden to continue ramping up and get into live competition and that this will be a day-by-day process to see what the next step is for him.

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