James Harden Injury: How Long Will Foot Strain Keep Out Philly PG?

Philadelphia 76ers' point guard James Harden is reportedly expected to miss at least a month after suffering a right foot tendon strain last Wednesday.

According to the Pro Basketball Docs, while video doesn't show a clear injury, Harden likely strained a peroneal tendon on a drive in the first and/or third quarter. 

While the injury won't require surgery, the 33-year-old southpaw playmaker will miss 4-to-6 weeks, and his return to form will be a matter of when, not if.

Harden initially went down and grabbed his foot after his foot planted and flexed in the first quarter but stayed in until going down on a drive again in the third quarter. He returned for six points and two assists in seven minutes in the fourth quarter. 

Philadelphia, 4-5, has started slow this season but Harden has remained an effective offensive creator to the tune of 22 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds on 15.9 field goal attempts and 6.2 free throw attempts a game. Those shot attempts would be the second-lowest and lowest of his career since 2011-12, his final season off the bench on the Thunder.

The 2018 MVP was a workhorse in his first decade in the league but has missed 37 of the last 124 games (29.8%) since he suffered a right hamstring strain in March 2021.