CAMDEN, NJ – James Harden will not be in uniform for the Philadelphia 76ers games scheduled for Friday and Saturday, as team staff must first assess his fitness.

Therefore, the newcomer could play his first game with the 76ers on Tuesday against the Boston Celtics at home at the earliest. The Philadelphia team will also face the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday before the All-Star Game break.

The 76ers acquired the 2018 MVP on Thursday from the Brooklyn Nets. Several players were involved in the trade, including Ben Simmons, who took over as Brooklyn manager.

Had he not traded, Harden would have lost another fourth consecutive game due to stiffness in the back of his left thigh.

During his career with the Nets, the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, he averaged 25.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.