Philadelphia 76ers have no long-term concerns about James Harden's health

Sixers guard James Harden sat out Wednesday’s game due to Achilles soreness, but it does not appear to be an issue of true concern, writes Jamal Collier of ESPN. Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers said Harden has been dealing with the discomfort for some time and that the team decided it would be best to throw him a rest day.

Rivers added that Harden playing 46 minutes in Monday’s double-overtime game caused the soreness to spark a touch.

“No concerns,” Rivers told reporters. “It just flared up a couple times and we decided instead of doing the back-and-forth, the dance, let’s just sit him down, get him rest and make sure he’s right.”

Collier notes that the only other games Harden has missed since the All-Star break were both on the second night of back-to-backs. The veteran guard continues to manage a tendon strain in his right foot that he suffered in November, which earlier kept him out of action for about a month.

“Especially going into the playoffs, you just want guys to be right,” Rivers added. “No reason to take any chances.”

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

• Assistant coach Sam Cassell has decided to remain with the Sixers rather than pursue a head coaching job at Temple, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pompey's source confirmed to the reporter that the university reached out to Cassell about the opening. Former NBA player Aaron McKie resigned as the Owls’ head coach last week.
• Mikal Bridges is validating the Nets‘ decision to turn down trade offers after they acquired him in the Kevin Durant deal, notes Dan Devine of Yahoo Sports. The Grizzlies reportedly offered a package of four first-round picks, but Brooklyn preferred to see what Bridges could do in a starring offensive role. He has averaged 25.4 PPG in 17 games since joining the Nets, easily outpacing any of his best seasons in Phoenix. “You saw the days where (Devin) Booker was out and he was the primary scorer, we saw how he adjusted and really flourished in that role,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said. “So we put the ball in his hands. We’ll continue to do so.”
• The Celtics were happy to welcome back Robert Williams in Tuesday’s win at Sacramento, per Souichi Terada of MassLive. Boston’s starting center returned to the court after missing the past eight games with a hamstring injury. “Obviously we’re a lot bigger when he’s out there,” Jayson Tatum said. “It just makes us much more dynamic, I felt like. His presence. Even if he’s not blocking shots, maybe he’s turning people away from attacking the basket. He’s grabbing rebounds. Giving us second or third opportunities. Obviously a lob threat.”