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Harden out through All-Star break with hamstring injury

Rocky Widner / National Basketball Association / Getty

New Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden won't make his debut with the team until after the All-Star break as he continues rehabbing his left hamstring injury, the 76ers announced, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey.

Harden, who was chosen as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve, won't play in the All-Star Game in Cleveland on Feb. 20. NBA commissioner Adam Silver selected Cleveland Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen to fill his spot on Team LeBron.

While Harden won't be available for his Philly debut until Feb. 25 against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the earliest, the 2018 MVP put in work at practice Monday with new teammate Tyrese Maxey.

Asked about integrating Harden into the 76ers' system, head coach Doc Rivers downplayed the potential challenges.

"Listen, putting James Harden into an offense is not that hard. It really isn't," Rivers said, courtesy of ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "I mean, he's just a terrific basketball player, so you don't need to overcomplicate it. You know where he's been great at, you know which direction he wants to go, and so you put him on those sides of the floor."

The Sixers acquired Harden as part of a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets involving guard Ben Simmons.

Philadelphia, which played the entire season without Simmons before the deadline deal, sits fifth in the East with a 34-22 record.

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