Harden Returns to Rockets, Scores 12 in Preseason Debut

James Harden was back in a Houston uniform. It’s still unclear how many more times that’ll happen. The three-time defending NBA scoring champion made his preseason debut with the Rockets on Tuesday night, after practicing only one time with his team following a late arrival to training camp and amid incessant trade speculation. Harden scored 12 points in 21 minutes and the Rockets beat the San Antonio Spurs 112-98.