Brooklyn Nets’ James Harden To Miss Game With Thigh Contusion; Steve Nash Says It’s Not ‘Too Severe’

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden will miss Sunday’s game with the Washington Wizards with a thigh contusion, meaning he won’t get to face his former Rockets teammate Russell Westbrook.

But head coach Steve Nash doesn’t think it’s a serious injury.

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s too severe, I think it’s pretty manageable,” Nash said on a pre-game Zoom. “But just a precautionary measure…I don’t remember exactly when it happened. Hopefully, it’s just this game.”

The Nets will host Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers on Tuesday.

Harden is averaging 24.5 points, 11.1 assists and 6.4 rebounds on the season. The Nets have won four straight and are 6-2 since acquiring him in a blockbuster trade earlier this month with the Rockets.

Brooklyn (13-8) entered Sunday’s game as the No. 2 seed in the East behind Philadelphia and appear to be firing on all cylinders with their “Big 3” of Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

Harden has been the primary play-maker for the team, often deferring and trying to get his teammates involved. He leads the NBA in assists. Luka Doncic is next at 9.4 per game.

Without him, the Nets will be lacking their primary play-maker. Irving figures to become more important in that role without Harden.

“It’s a big hole to fill with all the things he does on the floor,” Nash said. “He’s a triple-double threat every night. Some nights he can score the ball, some nights he can run the show and some nights he does both, so having said that we have to compete and play together and keep building and we’ve got to win while we do that. But it’s really important that we keep doubling down on the way that we play, and try to find that identity that we continue to refine throughout the season.”

NASH LIKES SHUMPERT’S ENERGY

The Nets officially signed veteran guard Iman Shumpert and he joins shot-blocking big man Norvel Pelle as the latest additions to the team.

Nash hopes Shumpert, 30, can help the team defensively on the perimeter.

“I think it’s great to have his personality,” Nash said. “He gives our group some juice, energy and life. I think he has a reputation of playing extremely hard, defending, doing the dirty work, so that’s always positive to bring somebody in who’s got a lot of fight and competitive spirit.”

Shumpert has played with several Nets players already, including Irving, Joe Harris and Jeff Green, and has also been coached by Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni while in Houston.

“I think that his personality will be important for us, just somebody that’s been there, done that and has familiarity with a lot of our players and the club, so that I think is a nice segue or entry into his arrival,” Nash said. “I think it gives him a leg up and it gives everyone a level of comfort with him, so I’m excited for him to join us and allow us to have another veteran on the roster that can influence our group.”

Still, Nash said it’s “to be determined” how Shumpert and Pelle fit in conditioning-wise and rotation-wise.

“We had to fill the roster spots, so we’re not saying these guys are going to come in in unbelievable condition and rhythm and change our outcomes. We identified two guys that we think add value to our group and can help us even if they don’t play, so we have to hopefully put themselves in a position where they can hopefully get themselves in game shape and rhythm and see if they’re able to help the team on the floor, but I think they’re too guys who can help the team off the floor also.”

As for Two-Way players Chris Chiozza and Reggie Perry, Nash said “I think those guys are probably going to stick around, but I think it’s also to be determined.”

The NBA G League bubble begins Feb. 10 at Walt Disney World in Orlando and the Long Island Nets are among 18 teams involved.