Will James Harden Play Tonight? Brooklyn Nets vs Houston Rockets: Injury Updates, Lineup and Game Predictions

This matchup between the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets is one of the extremes. On one side we have the Nets, who have proven that they are the biggest threat to every team this season. And on the other, we have the Rockets who have only slumped throughout the season. But what’s going to grab everyone’s attention in this game is James Harden facing his former team.

Will this be an emotional meet? Or all the antics Harden pulled last season will fuel the Rockets to defeat Brooklyn as brutally as possible?

Brooklyn Nets injury report and lineup prediction

Their last win against the San Antonio Spurs was their return to their winning ways after the Dallas Mavericks defeated them 115-98. However, their stand in the East remains unaffected by a 23-13 record.

The usual leading scorers for them was James Harden and Kyrie Irving who combined for 57 points. But it was Harden who stole the show by dropping 30 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds with zero turnovers. He became the first player to do this since 1977-78.

Without Kevin Durant, the Rockets have had their supporting cast also take over. The struggling defense of the Rockets will have trouble containing Bruce Brown Jr., who does most of his damage at the rim.

Only Jeff Green and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot are doubtful for this game. So the predicted lineup would be Joe Harris, DeAndre Jordan, Kyrie Irving, Bruce Brown Jr., and James Harden.

Houston Rockets injury update and lineup prediction

The Houston Rockets are having a bumpy ride since the season began. When they had Christian Wood and John Wall in their starting lineup, they were looking like title contenders. However, Wood’s absence because of injury issues has really gotten them down to the bottom of the Western Conference.

Their new addition that came to replace Russell Westbrook, John Wall has been trying his best to not let the Rockets’ ship sink. Eric Gordon also missing since the last three games, isn’t helping their case. However, he might be playing this matchup.

The Rockets are severely injury-plagued. Dante Exum is out, Danuel House Jr., David Nwaba, and Rodions Kurucs are also questionable for this game. The only other player John Wall can rely on is Victor Oladipo. But the Rockets would need a healthier roster to fight the dominant Nets.

With that, the predicted lineup would be PJ Tucker, Victor Oladipo, John Wall, Justin Patton, and Jae’Sean Tate.

Game prediction

The reason the Nets lost their matchup against Dallas was that Kyrie was on the sidelines. With him back with Harden, there is no way the Rockets can beat them. Expect this to be a one-sided and low-scoring affair.

Read also- ‘Unbelievable Career’: Brooklyn Nets’ James Harden Gives Account of His Excitement Before Playing Rockets