CAMDEN, N.J. — For the Philadelphia 76ers to do anything this postseason, they need James Harden to be at his healthiest.
Their run will begin on Saturday when they play host to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of the first round. With Harden getting rested down the stretch, one has to figure that he and the Sixers are in better shape.
Philadelphia acquired Harden from the Nets at the 2022 deadline, and he was dealing with a hamstring issue. The injury bothered him in the playoffs. He did not have the same burst or the same impact on the offensive end of the floor. It clearly hampered him.
However, the Sixers feel better this time around with The Beard even with his recent left Achilles soreness.
“James is healthy now,” said coach Doc Rivers at practice on Tuesday. “Last year, that had to be tough. I’ve never been injured that late and getting in the playoffs. Not being in great shape in the playoffs is not a great place to be, because everybody’s running it at their maximum level of physicality and mentally and if you’re not, it’s gonna go well for you. Anyone and so James found that out last year.”
The combination of Harden and Joel Embiid was dominant all season. The big fella led the league in scoring while Harden led the league in assists. That combination of scoring and playmaking is going to be incredibly tough to stop in a playoff series. As they prepare for the Nets, Philadelphia is confident both stars are feeling ready for this postseason run.
“They look good,” Rivers added. “They look fresh, if that’s possible. They both look healthy. They look good.”
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