Kevin Durant’s absence with a strained hamstring is approaching two months, so the Nets hope James Harden has dodged a similar problem.
Harden missed Thursday’s 111-89 rout of the Hornets with a tight right hamstring. But his injury is believed to be just a minor Grade 1 strain, and the Nets are downplaying it both publicly and privately.
Coach Steve Nash said scans on Harden’s hamstring turned up clean and revealed no tear.
“He’s doing pretty good. He had a scan and it was clear, so he’s day-to-day. So, we’re excited that it wasn’t worse,” Nash said. “So, big sigh of relief and you know, day-to-day means we will see him probably in the next few games for sure.”
Harden was forced out of Wednesday’s win over the Rockets in the third quarter. He tested himself on the sidelines, but was held out for the rest of that game and sat Thursday in hopes of keeping a minor issue from becoming a major nightmare.
The Nets have an off-day Friday and practice Saturday before a back-to-back, Sunday in Chicago and then at home against the Knicks.
That LaMarcus Aldridge had an 11-point Nets debut and Landry Shamet scored 17 points after missing five consecutive games with a sprained right ankle bode well. What can the Nets look like when they roll Harden and Durant back into the lineup?
“Well shoot, I’d rather not think about it. I’d rather just go out there and have everybody out there playing,” Kyrie Irving said with a laugh. “In due time. We’re all remaining patient. We all want to be healthy for when we make that big run after May 16.”
Tyler Johnson had 15 points and hit a season-high-tying 5-of-6 from deep. Blake Griffin (knee) sat the tail end of the back-to-back. Reggie Perry and Alize Johnson each logged 4:01, while DeAndre Jordan did not play.
“Things are going to come up. It just has every week this year. So he’s got to stay ready. Who knows when it might be? It might be Sunday, it might be in two weeks. But everyone has got to continue to prepare and stay ready,” Nash said, adding that Aldridge exceeded even his expectations.
“He did. It’s not easy to do, to have that type of layoff. I know he’s tried to keep himself in good shape, [but] there’s a real difference between playing basketball and staying in shape. He looks in good condition and he’s sharper than I thought he’d be after that much time away. So, I was impressed.”