James Harden Determined to Try to Play in Game 5 UPDATE: Harden Plans to Play
By Peter Dewey
UPDATE: James Harden plans to play in Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks barring a setback in pregame warmups, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. Harden has missed the past three games after injuring his hamstring 43 seconds into Game 1. What follows is the initial report of Harden being upgraded to doubtful for Game 5.
Well, so much for the Brooklyn Nets not rushing James Harden back.
Harden, who aggravated his hamstring injury just 43 seconds into Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks, reportedly will try to get cleared to play in Game 5. Brooklyn upgraded Harden to doubtful for tonight’s game after listing him as out on Monday.
Harden is expected to test his hamstring in shoot-around today and has been determined to try and find a way to get cleared to play Game 5, sources tell ESPN. There are no guarantees on his status but Harden is trying to play with series 2-2. https://t.co/gYCTIKXXl8
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2021
Are the Nets really this desperate? Now that Kyrie Irving is sidelined with a sprained ankle, Brooklyn seems to be in panic mode by trying to see if Harden can play.
I’m sure that Harden wants to be out there in Game 5, but since it’s not an elimination game, are the Nets really willing to risk their title hopes by playing Harden on Tuesday?
If Harden re-injures his hamstring, it’s almost certain that he’d have to be shut down again, and even if Brooklyn wins, how far can they realistically go with just Kevin Durant healthy?
These are both valid questions, but we may not get to see Durant carry the Nets tonight if Harden does go. Brooklyn is clearly feeling the pressure after dropping both Game 3 and Game 4 in Milwaukee.
The Bucks are now favored to beat the Nets in the series on WynnBET. Milwaukee has -180 odds to win the series, and the Bucks are now the NBA Finals favorite with +325 odds. Brooklyn is in second with +375 odds.
That’s an ominous sign for the Nets heading into Game 5, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and company have to be smelling blood in the water.
Brooklyn looked unbeatable early in the series, but as has been the case all year, the Nets have been unable to stay healthy to compete for the title. Even if Harden plays, there is no guarantee that Brooklyn will come away with a win.
In fact, Vegas sees it much differently. The Bucks are actually four-point road favorites in Game 5, and they could find themselves up 3-2 with the series heading back to Milwaukee.