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 banned by his own franchise from traveling to the team’s season opener at the Milwaukee Bucks.

After 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 when Harden attempted to board the plane, the 10-time All-Star was stopped by security and told he could not travel with the team, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.

The franchise seems to feel that 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 training plan to monitor his metrics and speed, and a trainer and two-way players to work with, Harden will remain in Philadelphia as the team opens the season.

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

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

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

After 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 with his situation, Harden publicly called Morey a liar in August during a marketing tour of China.

‘Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be part of any organization he is a part of’ Harden told his audience. “Let me say it again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be part of any organization he is a part of.”

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

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

“I can control what I can control,” Harden said on Oct. 13. ‘I take it one day at a time and look at every day as a new day. My plan is to play basketball, yeah, definitely.”

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

Harden reportedly took care of business in Houston when he left training camp last week.

ESPN reported Thursday that the NBA is investigating whether or not the 76ers moving on from Harden violates 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 be fined $100,000 for the first violation, with penalties gradually increasing as violations continue.

“We are reviewing the facts surrounding James Harden’s availability tonight to determine if there is an approved reason for his lack of participation,” league spokesman Michael Bass told ESPN.