What James Harden’s Game 2 injury status means for the Nets

The Brooklyn Nets updated the injury status of guard James Harden as the team gears up for Game 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Playoffs.

From the moment James Harden walked off the court a minute into Game 1 between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks, his status for Game 2 became the big talking point of the series.

Brooklyn now knows definitively whether they will have their star shooting guard for Monday. The answer is no.

Harden will not participate in Game 2 of the series because of “right hamstring tightness,” according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

James Harden is out for Game 2 of the Nets vs. Bucks series

On the one hand, a diagnosis of “hamstring tightness” is certainly better than a strain or a tear.

On the other hand, sitting out Game 2 means Harden’s hamstring “tightness” is relatively serious. If it was minor, he might have been able to suit up with a couple of days to rest.

The question for the Nets is whether this is a precautionary or an absolutely necessary absence. The former could mean saving Harden for later in the series rather than risking further injury. The latter could conceivably mean keeping him out for the entire series.

Head coach Steve Nash, who said he was “heartbroken” over Harden having to come out in Game 1, told reporters he’s “hopeful” of seeing Harden again in the series, per Alex Schiffer of The Athletic.

The Nets were still able to grab a series-opening victory as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving carried the load. Getting big performances from Blake Griffin and Joe Harris also helped cancel out Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 34-point outing.

Brooklyn survived one game without Harden. Can they survive another or maybe even more? We’ll all find out on Monday when the Nets and Bucks square off once again.