In a highly-anticipated game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden made his return to Wells Fargo Center since the early-season trade that brought him to the Clippers. While Sixers fans showered him with boos throughout the night, Harden took time to reflect on his time in Philadelphia and share his thoughts on his former teammate, Tyrese Maxey.

Despite the loss, Maxey showcased his talents with an impressive performance, scoring 26 points and dishing out eight assists. Harden, who played alongside Maxey for a year and a half, expressed his pride in the young player, commending his confidence and work ethic. "He has the opportunity to make mistakes and grow, and obviously he's a first-time All-Star," Harden said. "He works his butt off, so the results are going to show. I'm extremely proud of him."

Harden himself had a solid showing, contributing 16 points, 14 assists, and only one turnover during the game. Since joining the Clippers, Harden has played 65 games, just 14 fewer than his time as a Sixer, and has averaged 17.1 points and 8.6 assists for the team, which currently holds a 45-27 record.

The booing from the Sixers fans did not come as a surprise to Harden, who seemed unfazed by it. "I expected it," he said. "I really don't know what it was about, but I expected it. So it is what it is. They don't even know why they were booing, I don't think."

Reflecting on the events that led to his departure from Philadelphia, Harden spoke about the end of his relationship with head coach Doc Rivers, describing it as merely "OK." He also mentioned an uncomfortable offseason standoff and the Halloween deal that ultimately led to his exit. Despite the challenges, Harden maintains a positive outlook, recognizing that sometimes things don't work out as planned.

"You look at it as a whole, like in life," Harden reflected. "Things that you want or may feel like should happen, they don't happen. And it's like, 'All right, cool. What's next?'... But for me personally, I feel like I did everything I needed to do in the sense of helping the team get better for this city and to win a championship."

As he moves forward with his career in Los Angeles, Harden wishes nothing but the best for his former team. "Now you move on. Everybody's happy, life is good, and everybody's looking forward," he concluded.

While the booing may have overshadowed his return to Philadelphia, James Harden's focus remains on the future with the Clippers, while still appreciating the growth and success of his former teammate, Tyrese Maxey.