Last time the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors met, James Harden secured his team’s victory with an overtime game-winner to top off a 44-point triple-double. That performance is still considered by many to be his most impressive of the season thus far.
The rivalry between Houston and Golden State is one of the fiercest in basketball, generating a playoff atmosphere each time the two face off. But as the Rockets prepare to pay the Warriors a visit on Saturday, they may be doing so without their biggest weapon.
Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports that Harden is questionable to play with a cervical strain.
It is yet unclear how exactly Harden injured his neck. If he is unable to play, the Rockets will be especially shorthanded at the wing, as Iman Shumpert (knee soreness) has already been ruled out of the contest. An absence would likely mean extended minutes for both Austin Rivers and Gerald Green, with a potential opening for 10-day signee Chris Chiozza.
However, this being a nationally televised non-back-to-back set, there is a good chance that Harden will push through and play anyway, as long as the training staff feels it is safe. Harden’s health is of utmost importance as the Rockets make their push for the NBA playoffs. Whether he takes the floor or not, the Warriors are considered heavy favorites to win.
