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Brooklyn Nets superstar James Harden has had a significant setback in his road to recovery from a hamstring injury. The team has confirmed that Harden has not progressed as they had hoped and that recent test results indicate that the former MVP will need to spend more time on the sidelines.
This report comes via NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Harden underwent an MRI, and will be out indefinitely, team says. https://t.co/HIBOKFDwUz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2021
While Harden remains without a timetable for his return, Woj noted that the Nets star could come back prior to the start of the playoffs:
The Nets will continue to be cautious with Harden, and there's a possibility that Harden's return could come closer to the start of the playoffs in a month, sources tell ESPN. For now, he will continue to be out. https://t.co/HIBOKFDwUz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2021
This is anything but a certainty at this point, though. The Nets have been known to be very conservative when it comes to player injuries and it would not be surprising if we don't get to see Harden again in the regular season.
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As Woj notes, it is a distinct possibility that the next time we see Brooklyn's three-headed monster will be in the postseason:
The Nets have played seven games with Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the court together this season. It's becoming clear that they won't get to play more than a few more — if any — before the playoffs start.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2021
Nets head coach Steve Nash also came out with his own statement, wherein the first-year shot caller pretty much indicated that he has no idea as to when Harden will be able to return:
Steve Nash says: "We're back to square one… he will be back when he's back. It might be the playoffs. It might be sooner." https://t.co/F7G62wr9Rh
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) April 20, 2021
This is a significant blow for Harden and the Nets, with the possibility of a shutdown now looming for the nine-time All-Star. He is definitely going to return at some point in this season, but as it is, it looks like Brooklyn will be holding him out until right before the playoffs. They're likely going to ease him back a few games prior to the start of the postseason so as to allow Harden to get his conditioning back before the playoffs begin.
