76ers star James Harden ‘is denied entry on to team plane by security and told he isn’t traveling to season opener’ forcing NBA to open investigation into possible player participation violation

Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden was reportedly barred from traveling to the team’s season opener at the Milwaukee Bucks by his own franchise.

Following a 10-day excused absence to attend to personal matters, Harden returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday, ready to join the Sixers as they open their season on the road against Milwaukee on Thursday and Toronto on Saturday.

But as Harden tried to board the plane, the ten-time All-Star was stopped by security and told that he was not permitted to travel with the team, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. 

The franchise seemingly feel the 34-year-old will have to make up for lost time away from the team. 

Haynes also reported that head coach Nick Nurse and general manager Elton Brand explained the Sixers’ decision to Harden. With a work out plan in place to monitor his measurables and speed, as well as a trainer and two-way players to work with, Harden is to remain in Philadelphia as the team opens the season away. 

Harden, Joel Embiid, and the 76ers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in 2023

Although frustrated, Harden left the airport without incident, per Haynes.

The ongoing saga between Harden and the 76ers sprouted from friction between him and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.

Following the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Harden requested to be traded to the LA Clippers. However, Morey refused to trade Harden if the Clippers did not meet his price. Frustrated by his the situation, Harden publicly called Morey a liar in August during a marketing tour in China.   

‘Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,’ Harden told his audience. ‘Let me say that again, Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.’

Harden remains a 76er despite insisting his relationship with Morey is beyond repair. 

The 2018 NBA MVP showed up late to 76ers training camp but addressed the media upon his arrival. 

‘I can control what I can control,’ Harden said on October 13. ‘I take it one day at a time and focus on every day as a new day. My plan is to play basketball, yes, for sure.’ 

Harden arrived late to Philadelphia’s training camp and only played in one preseason game

Harden was reportedly taking care of matters in Houston when he left training camp last week.  

ESPN reported on Thursday that the NBA is investigating whether or not the 76ers leaving Harden behind is violating the league’s new player participation policy. 

The policy allows teams and players to sit out with an injury, for personal reasons and ‘rare and unusual circumstances.’ The team could face a $100,000 fine with the first offense and penalties gradually increase if the violations continue.

‘We are looking into the facts around James Harden’s availability tonight to determine whether an approved reason exists for his lack of participation,’ league spokesperson Michael Bass told ESPN.