Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden thrilled by reception in home debut -- 'The love, the fans, it feels like home'

PHILADELPHIA — After a third straight sterling performance in a 76ers uniform — but a first in front of the fans here inside Wells Fargo Center — James Harden declared Philadelphia feels like home.

«Just exciting,» Harden said after finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in Philadelphia's 123-108 victory over the New York Knicks in front of a raucous sellout crowd here Wednesday night. «The love, the fans, it feels like home. Just the love, the support, man, from looking around, hearing, 'We love you James.'

»That right there makes me go out and play harder, and I just wanted to do whatever it takes to get the win."

So far in a 76er uniform, Harden is 3-for-3 in that regard, as Philadelphia — combined with Milwaukee's last-second victory over Miami Wednesday night — now sits two games back of the Heat for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

All anyone was focused on here, however, was Harden finally stepping onto the court in uniform in front of his new fans for the first time since Philadelphia acquired him in the blockbuster Ben Simmons trade with the Brooklyn Nets three weeks ago. Harden's slow buildup from the hamstring injuries that dogged his final days in Brooklyn caused him to miss the team's last home game, on Feb. 15, and saw him make his debut last Friday in Minneapolis against the Timberwolves before again playing Sunday at Madison Square Garden against these same Knicks.

Both of those games, like Wednesday night's rematch with New York, ended in Philadelphia victories. And, while it both is still extremely early in this grand experiment and far tougher opponents lie ahead, all involved are quite pleased with the early progress they've produced.

«I mean, we all just fit