The Nets did not have James Harden available on Monday when the Nets faced the Portland Trail Blazers, but his absence isn’t expected to be for long.
Harden was ruled out just hours before the late-night tip-off at Modo Center due to a left knee hyperextension. That meant the Nets’ “Big Three” were down to two for the night.
Nets coach Steve Nash said that the team was being “overly cautious” with Harden because of the heavy stretch of games they have coming up. He is expected to play in Wednesday’s game in Chicago and Harden didn’t get an MRI, Nash said.
Harden played in 44 minutes of the Nets’ win on Sunday over the San Antonio Spurs. He had 26 points, along with 12 assists and 7 assists in the game.
Harden had appeared in all but four of the Nets’ games this season up until Monday. He missed four games in December while in health and safety protocol.
Monday’s game would have been just the second time this season that Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Harden would have taken the floor together. Irving is not able to play on at home due to his vaccination status, which limits the three to playing with one another to only games on the road.
Harden wasn’t the only player out during the Nets’ trip to Portland. LaMarcus Aldridge missed his second game in a row with right foot soreness.
Aldridge is not on the trip and will not suit up for Brooklyn on Wednesday when they face the Bulls at the United Center.
