Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash didn't want to make things worse when it comes to James Harden and his lingering neck injury. The former MVP played in the Nets' win on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers despite the neck issue but was scratched from their Wednesday game against the league-leading Utah Jazz squad.

“I’m hoping it’s short term,” Nets coach Steve Nash said pertaining to Harden's neck (via Brian Lewis of the New York Post). “To be honest, I’m sure James would’ve wanted to play. I don’t think it’s safe for him to play, and sometimes you have to protect him from himself. He’s such a warrior and competitor.”

Obviously, the Nets missed Harden out there as he's quickly become the team's main scorer and facilitator since arriving. Nash though didn't want to make his situation worse and was seemingly looking long-term with regards to his superstar's health.

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Without James Harden as well as Blake Griffin, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant, the Nets were blown out by the mighty Jazz squad, 118-88. It was guys like Alize Johnson and Chris Chiozza who led the way for the short-handed Nets squad coming off the bench with Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Bruce Brown holding it down for the starting unit.

According to Malika Andrews of ESPN, Steve Nash added that Griffin will be available to play against his former team on Friday as Nets end their three-game road trip against the Detroit Pistons. Harden's availability though is still up in the air and will be dependent on how the superstar feels prior to the game.