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The Brooklyn Nets will be deprived of some depth for Monday night's game of the New York Knicks. However, “The Beard” appears to be cleared for action.
Malika Andrews of ESPN reported James Harden has not been listed on the injury report after missing the past two games with a sore hamstring. Kevin Durant is still being held out as he continues to work back from a hamstring strain. Blake Griffin, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Johnson are all inactive for the Nets.
The Nets have ruled out Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin (injury maintenance), Landry Shamet (ankle) and Tyler Johnson (knee) for tonight's game against the Knicks.
James Harden is not listed on the injury report, clearing the way for him to return.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) April 5, 2021
Brooklyn managed just fine without Harden in a blowout win over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, which also marked LaMarcus Aldridge's Nets debut.
However, the Nets dropped one against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Brooklyn shot close to 50 percent from the field and had 28 assists, but the Bulls shot over 55 percent from the field and totally dominated in the paint.
The Nets will look to get a boost from Harden in the second leg of the back-to-back.
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Harden is coming off a spectacular month of March in which he earned Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors. He continues to assert himself as Brooklyn's top playmaker, averaging 26.1 points, 11.2 assists, and 8.9 rebounds in 33 games with the Nets.
The complementary pieces on the roster have really benefited Harden. He is actually averaging his fewest free-throw attempts per game (7.7) since 2011-12 but is still getting into the lane and finding rim-runners or cutters while also kicking to shooters and getting the Nets moving in transition.
Brooklyn is currently tied with the Philadelphia 76ers atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Nets will likely hope a healthy Harden can add a spark and help the team get back on a winning track against the Knicks.
