James Harden Not Practicing With 76ers on Monday: Report

The Philadelphia 76ers start the season Thursday night, but superstar guard James Harden remains away from the team, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Harden, 34, didn't practice with Philadelphia last week, and his status for the season opener at Milwaukee is up in the air. The former league MVP (2018) didn't play in any of the 76ers' four preseason games.

Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters on Friday that he has "been preparing for [Harden's absence in the regular season] all this week, for sure."

If he doesn't open the season with the team, Harden will continue his months-long stalemate with the franchise, specifically with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. In August, the 10-time All-Star called Morey "liar."

Harden requested a trade to the L.A. Clippers in June, opting in to the final season of his two-year, $68.6 million contract. But Philadelphia has yet to complete a deal involving him.

After missing the team's media day, Harden attended Philadelphia's training camp in Colorado earlier this month with the goal of making the franchise "so uncomfortable, ultimately, they don’t think they’ll get the best out of him and that they’ll make a trade," per Wojnarowski.

On Oct. 13, Harden deemed his relationship with Morey beyond repair but told reporters that as long as he is still on the roster, he plans to play for the 76ers.

That claim will be tested, though, come Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET when the season tips off.