Report: Why James Harden Has Withdrawn From Olympics

The news broke this morning that Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant was being added to the Team USA Olympic roster. Unfortunately, it appears that Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden won’t be joining them anymore.

James Harden is reportedly withdrawing from the Olympics being held in Tokyo next month. NBA insider Shams Charania said that the hamstring injury that hampered him in the NBA playoffs is the reason.

Harden was limited to appearing in nine of the Nets’ 12 playoff games due to injuries. In his absence, the Nets went 1-2 against the Milwaukee Bucks, who ultimately beat them in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Game 7.

Injuries also limited Harden to just 44 games during the 2020-21 regular season. It’s no big surprise that he wants to prioritize getting healthy for next season.

James Harden was a member of Team USA for their gold medal campaign at the 2012 Olympics in London. He withdrew from the team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Losing Harden shouldn’t make or break Team USA though. They are still bringing an absolutely stacked roster to Tokyo that includes Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Draymond Green, Damian Lillard and others.

Team USA has medaled in every Olympic tournament they have ever played. In 18 appearances at the Olympics, they have won 15 gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals. They’ve also won gold in three straight Olympics.

There’s no reason that Team USA won’t win a medal this year either with the roster they’ve assembled.

James Harden will just have to watch this one from home.

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