The Houston Rockets have been playing good basketball as of late after a mini swoon a few weeks back, but they are still not playing at their highest level without their resident MVP candidate James Harden.
Harden has missed the past six games with a grade 2 hamstring sprain, the team has gone 4-2 in that time.
Good news is on the horizon for the Rockets this week though as Harden may be cleared for takeoff as early as this Thursday.
Here is what Head Coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters on Sunday:
“It could be Thursday or Saturday, I don’t know,” D’Antoni told ESPN’s Dave MacMahon. “He’s got to get better. We’ll see. Whenever he’s ready.”
This is fantastic news for the Rockets, who could absolutely use him for their showdown with the Golden State Warriors this Saturday at the Toyota Center in Houston.
The Rockets currently trail the Warriors by 3.5 games in the standings for 1st place in the western conference, which means a win on Saturday feels crucial in order to help them stay in the hunt for home court throughout the western conference playoffs.
It is also essential for Harden and Chris Paul to get more time on the court together and mesh as we start to transition into the home stretch of the NBA season.
The NBA would be very happy if Harden was back on the floor for the prime time match up Saturday night.
