On January 30, Beijing time, Harden officially missed today's game against the Warriors due to a right hand strain. Neither Durant nor Harden can play, and Irving will face the Splash Brothers with a single core. The Nets were forced to use their 25th starting lineup of the season.
In an interview, Nash revealed Harden's injuries. "I'm sure Harden has nothing wrong with his hamstrings anymore, he's been training on a few shots lately and everything feels good except for his right hand." Nash said, "Harden has been plagued by pain in his right hand for a few days and after waking up this morning he felt the situation was getting worse. At present, he has undergone an MRI examination, which shows no problem, but Harden still has a tingling sensation. ”
Hours before the game, the Nets listed Harden as "in doubt", meaning he had a 50 percent chance of playing the game, and Nash said they would decide before the game whether Harden would play or not. In the end, they decided to give Harden another break, his second consecutive missed game and his seventh absence of the season. In the first six games hardened, the Nets were 3-3. Harden played against the Lakers in one of his games, where he had 33 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Harden's absence from Irving also means that the Nets have to adjust the starting lineup. They will use their 25th set of starts of the season.
Nash said before the game that the Nets face a greater challenge in Irving's condition than Thompson's return from injury. Because Irving's play lacks continuity. Warriors coach Kerr also said that the problems the Nets face are unprecedented, and the team is not easy.
So far this season, Harden has played in 42 single games, averaging 23 points, 8.1 rebounds and 10.1 assists per game. Irving played in seven games, averaging 23.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.