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 shooting for 19) along with four rebounds, seven assists and two steals in the 132-122 loss.
He said he felt good but was disappointed with his performance.
“I didn’t play well, but I have to be better and I will,” he said.
tell a friend tell a friend he’s baaaaaack. pic.twitter.com/cCyd6gnKM5
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 6, 2022
Harden was out 14 games with a tendon sprain in his right foot. Coach Doc Rivers said Harden, who spent more than eight seasons in Houston, will be on a minute restriction upon his return. But Harden didn’t seem too limited and played 39 minutes.
But he said watching his minutes in this game made it difficult to pace.
“I was everywhere,” he said. “I’m not used to it. But I’m not looking for 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 pitch just because there was a certain plan in place before the game started,” Harden said. “But once you come out as a competitor, you want to try to win.”
Harden won the Kia MVP award with the Rockets in 2018 and was a three-time scoring champion during his time in Houston. He was warmly received by the crowd when he was announced before the game.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.