The Brooklyn Nets won't have superstar James Harden to finish their game against the Houston Rockets at Barclays Center on Wednesday. The Beard prematurely left the match against his former team in the second half due to tightness in his right hamstring, per the New York Times' Mark Stein.
The Nets say James Harden is out for the remainder of the game with right hamstring tightness.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 1, 2021
James Harden is out for the remainder of the game with right hamstring tightness.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 1, 2021
The Nets and Rockets have figured in a physical match-up for the most part, as things got chippy with Harden and Avery Bradley early on. The one-time NBA MVP was on his way to another splendid outing, registering 17 points, eight boards, and six assists on 5-of-10 shooting from the field in 27 minutes before exiting the game for good.
The extent of Harden's injury remains uncertain as of writing but it's certainly not a welcome development for Brooklyn and its fans. Despite getting veteran reinforcements like Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge in the buyout market, they are still without their best player Kevin Durant who is still sidelined by a bothersome hamstring.
Kyrie Irving will have to shoulder the load if Harden will be forced to be in street clothes for the time being. It certainly comes at an unfortunate time for the Nets, who are angling to take a solo claim of the best record in the Eastern Conference standings. Entering Wednesday's game versus the Rockets, the Nets were tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the top seed with a 32-15 slate.
Harden, of course, has been instrumental in their rise, playing brilliant basketball for the team since that blockbuster deal in February. The league's leading assist man has even claimed the MVP plum for himself.
James Harden’s stats in 32 games for the Nets this season are 26.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 11.4 dimes.
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