6:45pm: Harden will play in Game 5, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
Nets head coach Steve Nash, when asked about Harden’s condition, had previously said that the decision would come down to Harden himself, tweeted Adam Zagoria of The New York Times.
“I think it is James’ decision,” Nash said. “He’s been pushing, he wants to play but he’s got to go through his pre-game routine and see if he’s able.
12:21pm: Less than 24 hours after being ruled out for Game 5 of the Nets‘ series with the Bucks, star guard James Harden has had his status upgraded again. Having originally been upgraded to “doubtful” earlier today, Harden is now being listed as questionable, the team announced.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link), Harden, who has been sidelined since Game 1 of the series due to a right hamstring strain, intends to play on Tuesday night, barring a pregame setback. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reported hours ago that the 31-year-old planned to go through today’s shootaround in the hopes of being cleared, says there were no issues during that session (Twitter link).
If Harden is indeed able to play, it will be a major boost to a Nets team that has lost two consecutive games and will be missing Kyrie Irving on Tuesday due to an ankle sprain.
Brooklyn has struggled to get its offense going in its last two games. The team scored just 83 points in a Game 3 loss. In Game 4, no one besides Durant and Irving (who played just 17 minutes) scored double-digit points. The series is now tied at two games apiece.
Harden missed over a month of action during the regular season due to an injury to the same hamstring before aggravating the issue during the first quarter of Brooklyn’s second-round series. The fact that he has now been upgraded from out to questionable for Tuesday’s game feels like a sign of the Nets’ desperation. Hopefully, if he does return tonight, Harden won’t tweak that hamstring again, potentially subjecting himself to an even longer absence.
Does Vegas have a line on stuff like this? What’s the over/under for how long he plays before he tweaks it again? A game? The rest of the series?
Absolutely agree that this is desperation on the part of the Nets… and really, who can blame them? Pretty close to a “must win” game tonight for them.
I’d be willing to bet he lasts longer than AD did.
He quit on your team. But let’s pretend that didn’t happen right Wally?
Who’s pretending here? Everyone in Houston wanted him gone.
Instead of being petty and vindictive I choose to rise above that.
Lmao…Wally not being petty and vindictive…nah, never…
“Hey this has nothing to do with the Lakers, butI’m going to b1tch about them, anyway!”
Westbrick……
“Instead of being petty and vindictive I choose to rise above that”
“Westbrick”
“CP3 is old”
“Morey screwed us”
“Refs screwed us”
“Lebron is washed”
I think you’re really having Stockholm Syndrome if you keep defending the guy. Remember when casuals thought he was the greatest Rockets player ever?
He can barely resist a bag of twinkies now, let alone play a full playoff game.
“Humpty Dumpty Harden” that’s what I’m going to call him.
Oh and “enjoy Dipo and his knees”. Yeahhhh not vindictive or petty one bit. Good lord.
Let’s see… last time he lasted 43 seconds and Davis more than 5 minutes, so for the moment AD has the edge.
I say he plays 15-20 minutes. Joe Harris has a breakout game and they win 108-101. Giannis goes for 37-17-8 but Middleton gets clapped.
IMO
Harden doesn’t have Hamstring injury, more like mental injury
I mean
he thinks he is injured but he is not
Smells like desperation. Would be a real shame if he hurt himself even more…
My evaluation on full strength
Currently
Nets 60%, Bucks 90%
Hawks 70%, 76ers 80%
Jazz 80%, Clippers 90%
You win because you are healthy, not you are a better team
Both Lakers and Nuggets need 95% to defeat Suns, but they are not
Makes sense. It’s not going to “heal” in any real sense in time for him to play in these playoffs with full confidence that he won’t pull it again. That’s a risk, but the only real consequence is that he’ll then be out for the playoff from that point. It’s a question of when he tries to come back. I’d say it’s a pretty good time. If he can’t be effective, he’ll hopefully not push it to the point of injury and just come out and maybe try again at some point.
I said this when Durant went down for the Warriors, why doesn’t he just become a spot-up shooter and try to play the best defense he can? Seems like these guys really injure themselves pushing off driving to the basket.
How about just play a little defense and plant yourself on the wing as a jump shooter? Give that a try before you accelerate to the basket past your man and crumble to the ground?
Based on what Durants feet look like, I’m surprised he hasnt had more injuries.
Lol great analysis Gary.
How many points did Steph have tonight?
Do you mean Seth? Sixers didn’t play last night. They play tonight.
If you mean Steph, the Warriors didn’t make it to the playoffs. They’re out. They weren’t good enough. Finished 9th in the West. Looking forward to the draft lottery.
I didn’t mean Steph. I meant Jeff.
Uncle Jeff Green.
Whatever the case may be with Harden as a Bucks fan these past 2 years have taught me not to take anything for granted with this team. The Bucks have to prove that they can close the door (as others have pointed out in various ways). The current configuration has to show that they can win in the biggest moments which means having a ruthless, take no prisoners attitude whether you are playing the Nets or the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Not that it will happen, but imagine Lillard and Giannis together…two great players that need another. No player does it by himself in the NBA. I’m not a fan of what if scenarios, but I’m making an exception for that one, mainly because it seems like Lillard’s window is closing, and that guy is too good to never get a shot. Loyalty is great, but pick your franchise wisely.
Unfortunately for you, you turned out to be 100% right about your Bucks. Let the Nets back in with some weird offense in the second half and then KD’s dominance took over.
Nets will still win, bet on it. Refs gave the league/tv partners some extra games.
Unless Durant goes down from another dirty play by Gino I trust Nash and co. to have a game plan. Hard to adjust for Kyrie going down on the fly.
Nets are deadly. Look out.
Well well another dirty play by Gino. Time to rethink this guys legacy…
Hope you all took my gambling advice. I’m a people person.
This won’t last long
I don’t know if you call what he is doing right now playing.
This comment aged like milk lol
Amazing performance by KD
Nice heart by Harden
Harden played 45 mins. KD all 48. KD the man, what can you say. The “Slim Reaper “ at his best. Harden running point and handling ball helped KD do this. I’ll give him credit. Harden did what he could. Nets needed everyone. Green huge gm, Griffin big gm. But again if Harden playing is hurting you. Green is hurting you. Why don’t you adjust. This gm is everything for Bucks. Budenholzer SUXX. Should of been fired after Bubble. Taking Harden out by attacking him, posting him. Would of hurt KDs gm. Giannis locking up Green. At least keep him under 20 pts. Would have hurt KDs gm too. Bucks Again just find ways to lose. Nets had no rim protector all gm. Why isn’t Lopez n Giannis posting. KD was great and Harden showed heart. But Green was guy who stepped up. I don’t want to take away from a great Nets win. I just can’t believe how soft Bucks are. Just don’t know how to go for kill. You know what they say about an injured animal. Incredible lols.
You would think a former dpoy would embrace the task of trying to slow KD down. Giannis unfortunately wanted none of the smoke…
You were wrong about Harden & Nets. Not the coach’s fault.
Things could change tomorrow, then change again.
Bucks choked again. I more so blame the coach. Coach Bud is getting the boot as soon as possible!