James Harden was listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game in Portland and “struggled” with a sore throat according to Steve Nash, the former MVP went through a pre-game warm-up and cleared Put back in the lineup.
Hardik suffered an injury in a collision with Washington’s Garrison Matthews in the first half of Sunday’s win. He was down for several minutes after the Nets were worked by medical personnel, but played the second half and ended the post-injury game.
“I got hit. This is part of basketball, ”Hardik cameback before winning Tuesday’s 116–112 nets. “I got a jaw injury.” My neck is kind of different. I will be fine. It is nothing. Do some treatment on this, get some rest and be ready for the next game. “
As it turns out, Harden was right.
Still, before the neck issue, Nash expressed concern over how many minutes the 31-year-old had accumulated. Hardik entered the league on Tuesday and played an average of 37.9 minutes.
“I’m worried about the minutes,” Nash said. “I’m not sure what the answer is, though. He controls the game. He has not shot the ball well since. [All-Star] Break, but that [makes 3s], He gets in line. He assists, rebels, steals. He is great around the basket. … so it is difficult to get him off the floor because he makes his teammates better. “
Kevin Durant did not fly with the Nets on his trip, and he will not join them in Utah on Wednesday or Detroit on Friday. But Nash said the hamstring star could be on the verge of a comeback if it is a postseason.
“He has to close the critical phase of his rehab,” Nash said. “He is working in the court every day, he looks very good. Just trying to make sure there is functional power and we believe he can re-enter by playing safely. Is this right? Kevin is doing great. If it was a playoff, there is a chance that he is going to return to you soon, but it makes no sense to take a big risk with him when the most important thing is to have him back for the rest of the season. “
After Blake Griffin had a game-best plus-12 in a 15-minute Nets debut on Sunday, Nash said his minutes limit would increase gradually and incrementally.
Griffin played 19:24 against Portland.
“Very, very slowly. I certainly don’t want to get excited or overtake him as we try to ramp him up, “said Nash, who was irresponsible on whether Griffin would play against the Jazz. “Remember, he basically played one game a month. He could have played more minutes, but I certainly don’t want to endanger his long-term health.”
Landry Shamet (ankle) will miss the Utah game, though there is a chance that he could join the team in Detroit on Friday. … Nash said he expected Ellis Johnson to join the Nets in the UAE.
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