James Harden scored 26 points in the 76ers 123-108 win over the Knicks. There is a time and a place for this.
James Harden said that Philadelphia feels like home after a third straight sterling performance in a 76ers uniform.
Harden said it was exciting after he finished with 26 points, nine rebound and nine assists in Philadelphia's 123-108 victory over the New York Knicks. From looking around and hearing, we love you James.
That makes me go out and play harder, and I just wanted to get the win.
Harden is 3-for-3 in that regard so far in a 76er uniform, as Philadelphia and Milwaukee are both two games back of the Heat for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
All anyone was focused on was Harden finally stepping onto the court in uniform in front of his new fans for the first time since Philadelphia acquired him in the blockbuster Ben Simmons trade with the Brooklyn Nets three weeks ago. Harden missed the team's last home game due to his injuries, but he made his debut last Friday in Minneapolis against the Wolves.
Philadelphia defeated New York on Wednesday night in the second game of the series. It is still very early in this grand experiment and far tougher opponents lie ahead, but all involved are very pleased with the early progress.
"We all fit together, and you have someone in James that comes in with his experience." said the center, who finished with 27 points, 12 rebound, four assists, a steal and two blocks in 34 minutes. It all fits.
It fits, in part, because of the continued emergence of second-year guard Tyrese Maxey, who has taken yet another step forward after impressing as the starting point guard all season when Simmons was away from the team seeking a trade.
Maxey has scored more than 20 points in three straight games since Harden entered the lineup. Maxey said that Harden gave him a wakeup call after the halftime break.
Maxey said with a smile that James asked him if he was going to play.
I have to be aggressive, said James, Embiid, and Tobias Harris. I can not go stretches like that. I need to help these guys out and we need to help these guys out as a team.
Harden said that they need him to be aggressive when they have the ball.
Philadelphia is going as far as its new superstars can go.
When the 76ers were being introduced before the game, the song "Lose Yourself" was playing through the speakers and bouncing around the arena.
The song, all about seizing the moment and not letting what might be your one chance at greatness slip away, was an apt one when looking at the 76ers as a whole. The acquisition of Harden was made with the goal of winning a championship for him and for the 76ers, who haven't won a title in nearly 40 years.
The 76ers will play nine of their next 10 games against playoff teams before going on a five-game road trip to end the month.
The 76ers will take the wins when they can get them, as they continue to build towards a long playoff run this spring.
Harden said that every game for them will be tough. Every game is going to be a learning experience for us, and we have to find ways to continue to chip away, continue to get better, win or lose. It is better when you win to figure it out, but it is going to be a great test for us.
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