James Harden set to return for Nets clash with Warriors

After watching James Harden apply, Nets coach Steve Nash declared the guard could be able to play Saturday at Golden State.

Nic Claxton, who ought to be returning to the Nets’ rotation, too, was extra colourful.

“He appears to be like like cash,” the massive man mentioned of Harden after apply on Friday.

Harden won’t have any limitations upon returning after a one-game absence due to hamstring tightness, Nash mentioned, that means the Nets will tackle the Warriors with two of their three stars. Kevin Durant is out with a sprained left MCL, however Kyrie Irving, who will not be in a position to play at house, will be capable to go well with up for the five-game highway journey.

Harden had reported left hamstring tightness after the Nets misplaced to the Lakers on Tuesday in Brooklyn, then watched as his group misplaced at house to the Nuggets on Wednesday. Claxton was additionally out towards Denver, sitting on the second finish of the back-to-back after lacking seven consecutive video games with a left hamstring damage.

The Nets ought to be a lot nearer to complete, which will probably be necessary towards first the Warriors after which the Suns. The five-game journey represents the longest stretch so far Irving will probably be eligible to play.

“He’s nonetheless adapting to his recreation coming again,” Nash mentioned after apply Friday. “We take as a right with him … how a lot time he’s off, and he comes again, and it appears to be like like he’s by no means left.“However he’s nonetheless looking for his recreation. His degree’s so good that it’s exhausting to inform. However we are able to inform; he can inform. He is aware of that he’s not absolutely again but.”

In seven video games (4 wins) for the reason that Nets allowed the unvaccinated Irving to play in highway video games, he has averaged 23.4 factors (on 50.4 p.c capturing) with 5.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per recreation.

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Nash performed towards Klay Thompson for 3 seasons earlier than working with Thompson and the Warriors as a player-development guide in 2015.

He has watched from afar as one of many best shooters in NBA historical past missed two full seasons recovering from a torn ACL after which a torn Achilles.

“Realizing Klay, it’s a little bit deeper one for me. I understand how a lot he loves the sport,To have him have back-to-back season-ending accidents, roughly, is devastating for him personally,” Nash mentioned. “ … To see him again taking part in — the place he must be, the place he ought to be, the place he desires to be — is a fantastic factor.”

“After which, after all, the sport of basketball wants and desires to see him on the market each evening.”

Thompson is coming off the most effective of his eight video games this season, during which he shot 9-for-16, together with 5-for-9 from 3-point vary, and scored 23 factors in a win over the Timberwolves on Thursday.

This submit first appeared on Nypost.com