Reports: James Harden targeting Philadelphia 76ers return on Monday vs. former team Houston Rockets

The Philadelphia 76ers have been without superstar James Harden since November 4. That absence appears to be coming to an end for the 76ers.

Philadelphia has been battling injuries throughout the opening months of the 2022-23 season. After Harden was diagnosed with a strained foot, the expectation was that the superstar would miss, at least, a month. Harden's injury was followed by injuries to Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

Despite the injuries piling up, the 76ers have battled their way through adversity. After starting out the season with three straight losses, Philadelphia currently finds itself at 12-9 on the season. The team is in the midst of a three-game winning streak and are preparing to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

Appearing on the "Pat McAfee Show," NBA insider Shams Charania reported that James Harden is targeting a return Monday against the Houston Rockets.

"I'm told he is targeting a return on this road trip, most likely that final game of the trip next Monday in Houston," Shams Charania said.

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James Harden eyeing a return to the Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers stars James Harden and Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers have done a fantastic job battling through adversity early on in the 2022-23 season. After winning four of their last five games, the 76ers look to have some confidence building.

Harden's return to the team couldn't come at a better time. After missing four games with an injury, fellow superstar Joel Embiid returned to the lineup on Monday night. With Harden set to return as early as Monday, the 76ers will now have two of their biggest offensive superstars back in the lineup.

James Harden has continued to impress when he's on the court this year. He's currently averaging 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. The 76ers will start the first game of a three-game road trip on Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The team will head to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies on Friday. The last game of their road trip will feature the Houston Rockets, which is set for Harden to potentially return. After the road trip, Philadelphia will return home for a seven-game home stand.

It will present the opportunity for the 76ers to put injuries behind them and attempt to climb the standings in the Eastern Conference. It hasn't been the start to the season that the team had hoped for, but the season is still young. Philadelphia currently finds itself in fifth place in the East, but remains just one game back of the Cavaliers for third place.