Brooklyn Nets All-Star James Harden is expected to return Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs after being out with a hamstring injury for over a month.
Harden is currently a game-time decision.
Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news of “The Beard’s” return.
Nets star James Harden plans to play tonight vs. Spurs, assuming pregame warmups go smoothly, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Harden is on the cusp of his return after missing over one month with a hamstring strain.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 12, 2021
Harden has not played since April 5 and went on to miss 18 games with the hamstring injury.
Over that span, the Nets are 10-8 and currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference and are just two games back of the Philadelphia 76ers for the top seed.
Brooklyn has already clinched a spot in the postseason, but getting Harden will help their efforts to get the top seed and build chemistry between the big three, who have not played much together this season.
Brooklyn would have to win their remaining three games and get some help from Philly to take the top seed, but it’s unlikely the Sixers will stumble at the close of the regular season, which would take the pressure off of Harden in his return.
Barring any setbacks, Harden’s return inches the Nets closer to being at full strength as the playoffs are set to begin on May 22.
Harden will go through pregame warm-ups, and should everything go well, expect him to make his return when the ball tips off in Brooklyn on Wednesday night.