Even New York Knicks fans should’ve breathed a sigh of relief after James Harden was traded to the Clippers solely because it meant there would no longer be a new update on the situation every morning. The Sixers saga might be over, but that doesn’t mean New York’s pursuit of Joel Embiid is.
Harden had yet to play in a game for Philadelphia, and his first contest of the 2023-24 season will come in a Los Angeles uniform. Because the trade happened early Tuesday morning, Harden won’t make his Clippers debut against the Lakers on Wednesday night in primetime.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Harden will practice “over the coming days” and is targeting Monday for his LA debut. Guess who the Clippers play? The Knicks, in New York.
On @RunItBackFDTV: New Clippers star James Harden will practice over the coming days and possibly debut on Monday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. pic.twitter.com/3LXDzGoz9h
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 1, 2023
James Harden hoping to make LA debut at MSG for Knicks-Clippers
After playing the Lakers on Wednesday, the Clippers will have four full days off before they play in New York on Monday. That gives James Harden plenty of time to gear up and get ready.
He missed the Sixers’ first road trip of the season because Philadelphia wanted him to stay back and ramp up to play, and reportedly, he’s in good shape.
Harden got his wish granted, and he should be ecstatic that he got away from Daryl Morey. He’s back in his hometown of LA with three other natives in Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook. All four players have player options for 2024-25 that will make next summer interesting.
The Clippers did what they could to push the team closer to contention in a stacked Western Conference, and given Harden’s background, it could come back to haunt them. His history doesn’t exactly scream Mr. Reliable.
James Harden and LA’s new journey could start on Monday at MSG. Wouldn’t it be fun to see the Knicks spoil it?