HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- James Harden was once again absent from Rockets second training camp practice on Monday, and with the start of the regular season just 16 days away, the team doesn't know he will arrive.
"There is no timetable, as far as I know," Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said.
Harden missed the Rockets first training camp practice on Sunday, though Silas said he was expected to participate in an individual workout that evening at Toyota Center. That workout never took place and Harden was photographed at a Las Vegas club early Monday morning. The Rockets coach said he didn't know if Harden is currently in Houston.
The 2018 NBA MVP reportedly asked the Rockets for a trade to the Brooklyn Nets last month. He was in Houston last week, but left to celebrate the birthday of rapper Lil Baby on Thursday night in Atlanta. Silas said Harden missed Rockets practice on Sunday due to NBA COVID testing protocols, but skipping Sunday's workout to go to Vegas adds to the questions about whether or not Harden plans to suit up for the team ever again.
"I have no clarity on the message," Silas said. "I take it basically at face value that he's not here, and what the reasoning is, is on him. He's the one who can explain why or why not."
The other 19 players on the Rockets training camp roster did take part in Monday's practice, including P.J. Tucker, who was absent on Sunday. The Rockets first preseason game is Friday night in Chicago.
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