“He looks like money,” the big man said of Harden after practice on Friday. Harden will not have any limitations upon returning after a one-game absence because of hamstring tightness, Nash said, meaning the Nets will take on the Warriors with two of their three stars. Kevin Durant is out with a sprained left MCL, but Kyrie Irving, who is not able to play at home, will be able to suit up for the five-game road trip. Harden had reported left hamstring tightness after the Nets lost to the Lakers on Tuesday in Brooklyn, then watched as his team lost at home to the Nuggets on Wednesday. Claxton was also out against Denver, sitting on the second end of the back-to-back after missing seven consecutive games with a left hamstring injury.
More on James Harden Injury
Chris Haynes: Brooklyn Nets star James Harden (hamstring) is out tonight against the Denver Nuggets, team says.
Alex Schiffer: Nets’ status report for tomorrow night’s game at Chicago: Claxton (left hamstring tightness) - QUESTIONABLE Harden (left knee hyperextension) - QUESTIONABLE Irving (left ankle sprain) - QUESTIONABLE Aldridge (right foot soreness) - OUT Harris (left ankle surgery) - OUT
Alex Schiffer: Steve Nash says James Harden didn't get an MRI on his knee and expects him to play Wednesday. They're being overly cautious.
Alex Schiffer: Nets announce James Harden is out tonight in Portland due to a left knee hyperextension.
Matt Brooks: James Harden: "As much as I want to get back to 30s and 40s points, I can't do that. As much as I want to, as much as I would love to, I didn't have any opportunities to play pickup. It was all rehab."
Harden says this is unfamiliar territory for him coming back from a significant injury and having to be patient with his offense. "My career, I've been blessed," Harden said. "Just not having surgeries or whatnot. So just this whole process last year was just like frustrating and draining. ... It was draining for me to know that I couldn't be myself and be out there on the floor and be the player that I am [at the end of last season]. "But I'm finally slowly getting back to it. It just takes a lot of hard work and dedication. But it's gonna happen. But you got to just continue to keep fighting, and I will."
"I had no opportunities to play pickup or nothing this summer," Harden said. "Everything was rehab for three months, from a Grade 2 injury that happened three times in one season. So this is my fifth game of trying to just play with competition against somebody else. And as much as I want to rush the process and be back to hooping and killing, [have to] take your time."
Michael Scotto: James Harden on his hamstring: “I’m 100 percent. I’m back.” pic.twitter.com/MP8oMcYm2I
“If you’re just going through the motions, you’re just wasting your time,” he concluded. In fact, Harden told them that he had just gone through “a light day” because “I’m kinda still in rehab.”
Shams Charania: Nets‘ James Harden has withdrawn from Team USA coming off his hamstring injury during the postseason, sources said.
Michael Scotto: James Harden on playing injured against the Bucks: “It’s basically a grade 2 hamstring strain, so the first possession of Game 1 up until Game 5, that was the first time I did any basketball competition against anybody. I was literally going out there on a limb.”
Malika Andrews: James Harden says that he has been playing through a Grade 2 hamstring strain. The team had been calling it hamstring tightness.
Ajayi Browne: “It’s probably the same — He’s not himself so we’re all proud and admire his sacrifice.” ⁃Steve Nash on James Harden’s progress healing from his hamstring injury.
Of course, the Nets will have their excuses to lean on in the event they are eliminated by the Bucks. Irving’s ankle sprain was a dramatic game-changer in this series, and though Harden looked physically better in Game 6 than he did in Game 5, he still wasn’t half the force he was with two healthy legs. “It’s not even about rust,” Harden said. “It’s about being able to move. … I’m out there to do whatever it takes to win. I’ve got to be better on both sides of the ball, which I will be for Game 7.”
Ajayi Browne: Steve Nash also says, “James (Harden) is not at 100%. He’s got to protect himself — He’s not going to be able to push the ball in transition.”
Vincent Goodwill: The Nets say James Harden is available tonight
Adrian Wojnarowski: James Harden will play in Game 5, sources tell ESPN.
Brian Mahoney: James Harden has arrived on the court to warm up.
Brian Lewis: James Harden out on the floor for pregame warmups. #Nets #bucks #nba pic.twitter.com/w4XJInv7MD
Malika Andrews: James Harden is out on the floor warming up with some kinesiology tape on his right hamstring. pic.twitter.com/2lRNYuiYxg
Ajayi Browne: “I don’t have any update.” ⁃Steve Nash on James Harden.
Ajayi Browne: “He wants to play. He wants to win a championship. He loves the playoffs — It’s been really difficult on him.” ⁃Steve Nash on James Harden.
Ajayi Browne: “It’s a tricky situation, but it’s one that we’re willing to go down with James (Harden) — But if he can’t, he can’t.” ⁃Steve Nash on James Harden possibly playing.
Shams Charania: Nets‘ James Harden plans to play tonight in Game 5 vs. Milwaukee barring a setback in pregame warmups, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium . He’s been upgraded to questionable.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Nets have upgraded James Harden to doubtful for Game 5.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Harden is expected to test his hamstring in shoot-around today and has been determined to try and find a way to get cleared to play Game 5, sources tell ESPN. There are no guarantees on his status but Harden is trying to play with series 2-2.
Ajayi Browne: “We’ll see — When he’s ready, he and the performance staff will let us know.” ⁃Steve Nash on James Harden being available soon.
Barbara Barker: No update on Harden.
He noted James Harden has made "progress" in his recovery from a hamstring injury, but he could also miss the game Tuesday. These injuries are a concern for a Brooklyn team that is in championship-or-bust mode. When one or both of the guards is out, it puts pressure on Kevin Durant to carry the team.
Chris Mannix: James Harden is out for Game 4, per Nets
Malika Andrews: James Harden remains out for Game 4 between the Nets and Bucks (Sunday on ABC), Steve Nash says. Harden is "progressing" Nash says. Jeff Green has been upgraded to questionable for Game 4, Nash says.
Marc Stein: The Nets’ James Harden and Jeff Green remain out for Thursday’s Game 3 against Milwaukee, Steve Nash says. Nash adds that he does expect Green to play in this series. Harden’s status still TBD.
Ajayi Browne: Steve Nash says, “Nothing new on James (Harden). Jeff (Green) is progressing well, hopefully he’ll be back soon.”
Kristian Winfield: Joe Harris on James Harden: "He seemed to be in good spirits. He was talking a lot watching film, asking a lot of questions."
Michael Gallagher: Brooklyn Nets Medical Update: James Harden has been diagnosed with right hamstring tightness. He is listed as Out for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Milwaukee. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
Barbara Barker: "We are obviously desperate for him to return," Steve Nash says of James Harden who has been ruled out of Game 2.
Jordan Schultz: Sources: James Harden is currently undergoing an MRI on the right hamstring injury he suffered. I’m told the #Nets won’t risk long-term health issues with the superstar guard - a key component after the #Lakers drew criticism for playing AD in Game 6.
Malike Andrews: Steve Nash on James Harden: "I'm heartbroken for him." Nash adds he doesn't know whether or not Harden will be available for Game 2. "This guy was so ready and excited to play tonight... You never want to see that when someone gives everything they have."
Michael Scotto: Kevin Durant on James Harden: “Sh*t sucks. It sucks because I want him to be out there. I know how much he cares. I know how much he wants to be in this moment. I wish him a speedy recovery. We're going to keep him involved as much as possible. It's just a bad break." pic.twitter.com/IGsk2KZVse
Spencer Dinwiddie: F--k
Jamal Crawford: Hope James is ok. The hamstring is so tricky.
LeBron James: 🙏🏾 @James Harden! 🤦🏾♂️
Kristian Winfield: James Harden on his injury status: “I’m back.”
Brian Lewis: James Harden is cleared to play tonight for the first time since April 5. He will be on a minutes restriction, Steve Nash said. #Nets #NBA #Spurs
Malika Andrews: James Harden is listed as probable for tonight's game against the Spurs. Kyrie Irving is Questionable with a facial contusion. Kevin Durant is available, despite it being the second night of a back-to-back.
Shams Charania: Nets star James Harden plans to play tonight vs. Spurs, assuming pregame warmups go smoothly, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium . Harden is on the cusp of his return after missing over one month with a hamstring strain.
After missing five weeks with a hamstring injury, Nets star James Harden's return is expected to be a game-time decision before Brooklyn faces San Antonio on Wednesday night, sources told ESPN. Harden is expected to gauge his readiness along with team officials ahead of the Nets' return to Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday, sources said.
James visited an ankle specialist last week, sources told ESPN, and has made considerable improvement in his on-court workouts without experiencing the "sharp pain" he reported in the losses to the Raptors and Kings. He previously had difficulty making hard cuts and elevating, sources told Wojnarowski.
Alex Schiffer: Steve Nash said he hopes James Harden is able to play in one of the Nets final three regular season games, but there are a lot of factors in play as to if that happens.
Malika Andrews: As @Adrian Wojnarowski reported on SportsCenter, the earliest date that James Harden may return for the Nets is Wednesday against the Spurs — that isn’t a certainty, but Harden is getting close to returning.
Alex Schiffer: Steve Nash adds that James Harden is scrimmaging.
But Nash reiterated that James Harden, still rehabbing his right hamstring strain, is nowhere near a return. “James probably is still a ways away,” Nash said. “But he’s working and getting better and improving and moving the right direction, and we’re all positive and optimistic about his long-term outlook. But I think we’ve still got plenty of time before we see him back on the floor.”
Harden, who missed a 13th straight game Friday, hasn’t played since limping off the court April 5 versus the Knicks. There are eight games left in the regular season, and Nash wouldn’t confirm that Harden will be back before the postseason. “I don’t know if I want to forecast an opinion here. I’m not sure that serves any of us. Let me avoid the question and say we’ll see,” Nash said. “I’m not 100 percent certain he will or he won’t. That’s true.
Kristian Winfield: Steve Nash says James Harden is traveling with the team, was shooting this morning and "just started to build up what his capacity is." Nash says there is no high-intensity training yet for Harden.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Harden underwent an MRI, and will be out indefinitely, team says.
Brian Lewis: #Nets update on James Harden 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/rjlwa8GyAP
Adrian Wojnarowski: James Harden suffered a setback with hamstring, Nets says.
