Why is Brooklyn Nets’ James Harden Not Playing Right Now? When Will He Return? April 19 Update

Brooklyn Nets have not looked like a champion team lately, with their stars either sitting out or playing restricted minutes. Consider this, before Kevin Durant could make his return for the Nets, James Harden injured himself. So, the wait is still on to again see the killer trio step on the court together and take their opponents by storm.

The last 10 days have been pretty mixed for the Nets who lost their games against EC topper Sixers and the arch-rival Lakers. All this, because they lack their assist leader in James Harden who had been playing on an MVP level. So when is it that The Beard will make his return?

The fresh update on James Harden injury

The 31-YO player injured his hamstring in the April 5 game against the Knicks. Just four minutes into the game, as The Beard sent a pass towards #12 Joe Harris, he felt something awkward. Instantly, he signaled coach Steve Nash to take him off the floor and did not return to play. 

Ever since, The Beard has missed six games, of which the Nets have lost three. Recently, franchise general manager Sean Marks released a statement on his return, “Hopefully, if things go smoothly, he’ll be out and joining the guys in a game. He’s met his markers up to this point, and we’ll just continue to progress him along, and hopefully, it’s not too much longer.”

Later next week, the Nets are going to play the Celtics and the Suns, so it will be very important for them to have a healthy roster.

Read Also – Nets’ James Harden Continues To Put Up Video Game Numbers By Matching Another All-Time Record

When can The Beard join back his Brooklyn Nets mates?

The team hasn’t given a date for his return, but the evidence signals he will soon be back. Coach Steve Nash has already stated that the star point guard will join an individual workout on Monday. Also, the 9x All-Star and 3x Scoring champion will need a practice day before playing 4-on-4 or 5-or-5 prior to the return.

In an interview, coach Nash detailed, “I know speaking to James and speaking to people who were on the court with him that he is improving. He’s on the right track and hopefully it won’t be long before he’s back, but there are still markers.”

Notably, this is not the first injury of the season for James Harden. In a March 21 game against the Wizards, he almost injured his neck after a frightening collision with Garrison Matthews. But that did not force him to skip the next game.

Now, Harden is not one of those players who would sit out for a longer duration even after an injury. But, the franchise will not go against the sports science to rush his return unless he is 100% fit.

Also Read – NBA Insider Details the Conversation Between Nets’ Steve Nash and James Harden Regarding His Return