NEW YORK – Brooklyn Nets star James Harden played just four minutes before being ruled out for the remainder of Monday night’s game against the New York Knicks due to a strain on his right hamstring.
Harden’s brief return came after missing the Nets’ last two games with the same injury.
Before the game, Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said Harden would not have a minute restriction.
“We don’t want to wear it out,” said Nash before the start. “So we will do our best, which is very difficult at times. We will try to limit his minutes if we get the chance.
Nash reiterated that photos taken of Harden’s hamstring didn’t reveal any structural damage, so the team looked to him and his training staff to decide when he felt good enough to play.
“I think he was in a position of fatigue,” Nash said.
The Nets were already without Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Tyler Johnson and Landry Shamet.
One of the favorites for the league’s ‘MVP’, Harden averaged 26.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 11.2 assists per game.