NEW YORK – Ten days after James Harden was diagnosed with a straight hamster strain, Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks said the All-Star guard was “progressing well.”
Marks added that Harden will need “at least one or two” days of training when he plays 4 to 4 and 5 to 5 before returning to court.
“Hopefully if things go well, he will come out and join the boys in a game,” Marks said. “He has met his markings so far and we will continue to progress him and we hope he will not last much longer.”
Marks added that he wasn’t sure exactly when Harden would return. Nets coach Steve Nash said that while the team had a day off on Thursday, Harden entered the gym to train.
“I know I’m talking to James and I’m talking to people who have been in the yard with him that he’s getting better,” Nash said. “So he’s on the right track and hopefully it won’t be long before he returns, but there are still markers.”
Harden – who was considered one of the first in the league’s MVP rankings – missed the Nets’ last five games. Harden faced a certain tightness in the hamsters before being diagnosed with the strain. After playing four minutes against the New York Knicks on April 5, Harden made several pictures, which revealed the strain.
“It’s James who wants to play tonight,” Nash said. “And then there are performances that want to be based on science and be safe. There are two disparate opinions and that is why we are here – to find the middle way and to make sure that he returns safely, but also as soon as possible. “
In the team’s initial announcement, the Nets said Harden would be re-evaluated after ten days. Harden has an average of 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game for the Nets.