James Harden’s return to Sixers uncertain as he tends to his mom’s health issues: Report

James Harden reportedly left the Philadelphia 76ers to tend to his sick mother, according to a new report from Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. The report said that Harden "is going through it," and although “he loves to compete and is in the best shape of his life, he feels a sense of betrayal from Philly.”

The report is the most recent happening in the Harden saga. Previous reporting from ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski indicated the Sixers and LA Clippers, the team touted as Harden's preferred destination, are "nowhere close" to agreeing to a trade, and a "wide gulf" remains between them.

James Harden's future uncertain as new season tips off

James Harden was trying to force the Sixers to trade him before the regular season. Harden, who is away from the 76ers on an excused absence, is unlikely to play in the team's regular-season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

James Harden wants Philadelphia to trade him to the LA Clippers. The two teams have discussed a trade that hasn’t been agreed on because the Sixers want Terance Mann included in a deal, a no-go for the Clippers.

It was a difficult offseason for Harden, who opted into the final year of his contract with the Sixers in hopes of getting traded. Later when it became clear that a trade wasn't available, he called 76ers team president Daryl Morey a "liar" while speaking at an event in China.

James Harden, who is a three-time scoring champ, attended Philly's initial practice sessions. However, it was reported that the 10-time All-Star missed team practices recently.

Harden previously forced his way out of the Houston Rockets only to stage another forceful exit from the Brooklyn Nets. Philly acquired Harden from the Nets before the trade deadline during the 2021-22 season, but Harden was a non-performer in the playoffs in two playoff runs in Philadelphia, getting ousted in the second round.

James Harden's future is still in limbo as the new season commences. It remains to be seen where the star point guard will end up.