NEW YORK – Ten days after James Harden was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain, Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks said the star guard is “progressing well.”
Marks added that Harden will need “at least one or two” days of training when he plays 4-on-4 and 5-on-5 before returning to the court.
“Hopefully, if things go well, he’ll come out and join the guys in a game,” Marks said. “He’s known his markers so far, and we’ll keep moving forward, and hopefully not too long.”
Marks added that he wasn’t sure what date Harden would return. Nets coach Steve Nash said that while the team had the day off on Thursday, Harden came into the training room to train.
“I know talking to James and talking to people who were on the track with him who is getting better,” Nash said. “So he’s on the right track and I hope it doesn’t happen long before I come back, but there are still markers.”
Harden, who had been considered one of the top-ranked MVPs in the league, has missed the last five Nets games. Harden had been dealing with certain strains in his hamstrings before he was diagnosed with strain. After playing four minutes against the New York Knicks on April 5, Harden made more pictures, which revealed the tension.
“There’s James, who wants to play tonight,” Nash said. “And then there’s a performance that wants to lean on science and be safe. It’s two disparate opinions, and that’s why we’re here: finding the middle ground and making sure we get back safely but also as soon as we can.”
In the team’s initial announcement, the Nets said Harden would be reevaluated in ten days. Harden averages 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 10.9 assists per game for the Nets.