The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a blockbuster deal by acquiring James Harden right before this year’s NBA trade deadline.
They rid themselves of Ben Simmons and completely changed their own outlook as the postseason approaches.
Yet anyone expecting to see Harden soon will have to wait a bit.
He is reportedly out through the All-Star break as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
The Sixers say James Harden is out through the All-Star break as he continues to rehabilitate his left hamstring, and that he won’t play in the All-Star Game.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 14, 2022
The team surely knew his situation when making the trade, and the focus remains on him being healthy and available during the playoffs.
Yet this injury news also means he will not play in this year’s All-Star Game.
Finding Harden’s Replacement
While 76ers fans and the rest of the NBA wait to see Harden suit up in his new uniform, the league needed an All-Star Game replacement for the star guard.
They made a smart move by going with Cleveland Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen.
Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen has replaced James Harden in the NBA All-Star Game.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 14, 2022
Allen is dominating this year with 16.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
He was arguably a snub in the first place and his inclusion is fitting as the game itself is in Cleveland this year.
The Cavaliers are also near the top of the Eastern Conference with a 35-22 record, so this is not some unearned honor for the center.
The 76ers can given Harden as much time as he needs to feel better again.
They are in a fantastic position as Joel Embiid has been leading the team all year with the Simmons saga playing out in the background.
Adding Harden is basically a bonus for the team given the fact Simmons was at home all season.
NEXT: Does James Harden Make The 76ers Title Favorites?