PHILADELPHIA — When the Philadelphia 76ers acquired James Harden at the deadline in February, they weren’t exactly getting the healthiest version of The Beard.
Harden had been dealing with a hamstring issue with the Brooklyn Nets, which hampered him the rest of the season after the trade. He shot 40.2% from the floor and 32.6% from deep with the Sixers after the trade, and in his first full season in Philadelphia, he missed time with a right foot tendon strain.
In 16 games since he returned from the injury, Harden is averaging 21.6 points, 11.6 assists, and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 43.3% from the floor and 39.7% from deep. This is probably the healthiest he has been since arriving in the City of Brotherly Love.
“I thought right before the camp was great, but now I think he’s moving great, he feels good, he’s running the floor with pace for sure,” said coach Doc Rivers. “When we play at a pace, we’re really good, and when he does it, he’s the key to it.”
Harden recorded a triple-double in each of his last two games, both wins over the Detroit Pistons. While the Pistons are a struggling rebuilding team also dealing with injuries, there is no doubt Harden looks to be moving better than he has since his early days with the Nets.
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