James Harden returned to the lineup Monday night, playing 39 minutes in Philadelphia’s 132-122 double-overtime loss to Houston.
James Harden returned to the lineup Monday night as the Philadelphia 76ers fell in double-overtime to the Houston Rockets. The Sixers guard finished with 21 points (4-for-19 shooting) along with four rebounds, seven assists and two steals in the 132-122 loss.
He said he felt good but was disappointed in his performance.
“I didn’t play well, but I’ve got to be better and I will,” he said.
tell a friend to tell a friend, he's baaaaaack. pic.twitter.com/cCyd6gnKM5
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 6, 2022
Harden was sidelined for 14 games with a tendon strain in his right foot. Coach Doc Rivers said Harden, who spent more than eight seasons in Houston, would be on a minutes restriction in his return. But Harden didn’t seem to be limited much, and played 39 minutes.
But he said having his minutes monitored in this game made it tough to get in a rhythm.
“I was all over the place,” he said. “I’m not used to it. But I’m not making any excuses. I have to do better.”
He added that Rivers didn’t want him to play as much as he did in overtime.
“I had to fight to stay on the court just because there was a certain plan in place before the game started,” Harden said. “But once you go out there as a competitor you want to try to win.”
Game Recap: Rockets 132, 76ers 123 (2 OT)
Harden won the Kia MVP award with the Rockets in the 2017-18 season and was a three-time scoring champion in his time in Houston. He received a warm welcome from the crowd when he was announced before the game.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
