The Brooklyn Nets are set to face the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center Saturday. The Nets were without star James Harden last game, after popping up on the injury report with a tight hamstring. It leads us to an inevitable question: Is James Harden playing vs Warriors?

Is James Harden playing vs Warriors

The Brooklyn Nets are 29-19, leaving them in fourth place in the East, 2.5 games out of first. They're 3-3 in games the seven-time All-NBA teamer has missed. The last time they faced the Dubs they got crushed at home 117-99, as Steph Curry dropped 37 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 dimes on Brooklyn.

James Harden injured his right hamstring during the 2020-2021 season. It first occurred in March, and then happened a couple times once upon return and another time in practice. The last time he aggravated it was in the opening minutes of the Eastern Conference Semi's against the eventual champs the Milwaukee Bucks. He would do his best to keep playing but he was clearly not himself. Had Harden (or Irving, who sprained an ankle) been healthy that series, it seems like they would have advanced to the final four where they would have hosted Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.

Recently coach Steve Nash reflected on the one year mark Harden arrived in Brooklyn. He noted Harden finished that series “on one leg” and that there had been plenty of bad luck for The Big 3 since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were united with The Beard.

Harden spent the entire summer rehabbing what turned out to be a grade two hamstring issue. He didn't have the opportunity to play pick up or scrimmage because of the issue.

The good news here is that the recent tightness Harden apparently reported, which cost him the game versus the Denver Nuggets, was in his left hamstring.

Following the 124-118 loss to Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, coach Nash provided an update on the ASU product.

“I think we're all hopeful he'll play next game,” said Nash Thursday night. “It's day-to-day, and we'll see, but I think it's likely and probable and we're all very hopeful that he'll be ready to go [next game].”

And sure enough, that update came via ESPN's Nick Friedell Friday afternoon. So, is James Harden playing vs Warriors? Below is your answer:

And it sounds like third-year big Nic Claxton was impressed with his teammate too:

Kevin Durant is out for this one. He's looking at a lengthy absence as he rehabs from the sprained MCL he sustained vs. the New Orleans Pelicans in mid Jan. But because the game is at Golden State, that means Kyrie Irving is available. Like New York, San Francisco has the type of local ordinance that requires players get vaccinated, but similar to the rules in NYC,  there is an exception for road players who are only visiting. So both Irving and Harden will be in the lineup.

So the question is answered for now. Is James Harden playing vs Warriors Saturday? Luckily for Nets fans, the answer is yes.