Facing the Nets for the first time since being traded for Ben Simmons last month, Sixers All-Star James Harden couldn’t buy a shot Thursday night, finishing just 3-of-17 from the floor in a losing effort. The letdown made Harden an instant punchline on social media, with fans trolling the former MVP for no-showing against his former team. Unfazed by his poor performance (though he did pass Reggie Miller for third on the NBA's all-time three-point list), Harden was seen out on the town Thursday night, hitting the Philly club scene with rappers Travis Scott and Lil Baby.
Harden’s appetite for life is well-documented, gaining a reputation for mingling with celebrities while taking frequent trips to Vegas, among other party hotbeds.
In the hierarchy of off-field missteps, celebrating a buddy’s birthday with cake and sparklers is, admittedly, a pretty minor offense. However, the poor optics of Harden enjoying Philly’s nightlife—while making little effort to shield himself from the buzzing camera phones in his vicinity—hours after a humiliating defeat on national television, had many scratching their heads.
While some faulted Harden for turning up when he should have been at home getting a good night’s sleep, others weren’t as concerned, arguing the 32-year-old should be entitled to blow off steam after a rare off night.
The Sixers don’t play again until Sunday, giving Harden plenty of time to recover from his late night.
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