The Philadelphia 76ers are about to begin their 2023-24 season. Their first preseason game will occur where their last season ended as they face the Boston Celtics with a tip-off time scheduled for 6:00 PM EST. The Sixers are mostly in full health, but they could be without several key players. Of all the players who could miss the Sunday exhibition game, there is one major question regarding a specific guy on everyone's mind: Is James Harden playing tonight vs. the Celtics?

Is James Harden playing in the Sixers' preseason opener vs. Celtics?

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harden will not play against the Celtics. Joel Embiid, De'Anthony Melton and Furkan Korkmaz will also be inactive.

Harden participated in training camp in a limited capacity, missing the first day and not playing in scrimmages until the final day of camp as the team ramps up his workload. The Sixers' star guard no-showed media day but made it to training camp in Fort Collins, Colorado and practiced with the team as if nothing had happened. Harden still remains adamant about being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

When asked yesterday whether Harden and Joel Embiid will play, head coach Nick Nurse said that it would be a game-day decision.

The only injury the Sixers are dealing with is that of Montrezl Harrell, who will likely miss the season with a torn ACL. The Celtics are not dealing with any injuries as the season approaches.

The question of if James Harden is playing tonight vs. the Celtics has its answer: he will not. Given that he was not a full participant in training camp along with the fact that he did play in the Sixers' preseason opener last year, it makes sense that he won’t play. The Sixers' preseason home opener is on Wednesday against the Celtics.