Nets net guard James Harden to lose game by House contradiction, Steve Nash says not ‘Too Severe’

James Harden, a Brooklyn Nets guard, will miss Sunday’s game with the Washington Wizards with a house contusion, meaning he won’t get to face his former Rockets striker Russell Westbrook.

But head coach Steve Nash doesn’t think it’s a serious injury.

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s too hard, I think it’s pretty easy to handle,” Nash said on Zoom pre-game. “But just a careful measure … I don’t remember when it happened. I hope it’s just this game. “

The Nets host Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers Tuesday.

Harden averaged 24.5 points, 11.1 assists and 6.4 rebounds on the season. The Nets have won four straight and are 6-2 since they got it in a block trade earlier in the month with the Rockets.

Brooklyn (13-8) entered Sunday’s game as the No. 2 East seed behind Philadelphia and appear to be shooting on every cylinder with their “Big 3” of Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant .

Harden has been a key player for the team, often dismissing and trying to engage his players. He leads the NBA in helping. Luka Doncic is next at 9.4 per game.

Without it, the Nets will have the main playing nets. Irving figures to be more important in that role without Harden.

“It’s a big hole to fill with everything he does on the floor,” Nash said. “He is in double danger every night. Some nights he can score the ball, some nights he can run the show and some nights he does both, so to speak we have to compete and playing together and keeping building and we have to win while we do that. But it’s really important that we keep doubling down on the way we play, and that we try to maintain that identity that keeps us going throughout the season. ”

NASH WELCOMES SHUMPERT ENERGY

The Nets have officially signed former guard Iman Shumpert and will join Norvel Pelle, a big man who stopped a bullet, as the latest addition to the team.

Nash hopes Shumpert, 30, will help the team defend on the fringes.

“I think it’s good to have him,” said Nash. “It brings juice, energy and life to our organization. I think he has a reputation for playing really hard, defending, doing the dirty work, so that’s always positive to bring in someone who has a lot of fighting and competitive spirit. ”

Shumpert has already played with several Nets players, including Irving, Joe Harris and Jeff Green, and has also coached Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni while at Houston.

“I think his personality will be important to us, just someone who has been, has done that and is known to many of our players and the club, until I think it’s a nice segue or getting into it, ”said Nash. “I think it gives him his leg and it gives him a level of comfort, so I’m excited for him to join us and let us have another veteran on the winning roster. on our organization. “

However, Nash said it is “to be determined” how Shumpert and Pelle are responsive and positional.

“We had to fill the roster spots, so we are not saying that these people are going to come into an incredible state and rhythm and change our results. We have identified two guys who we think will add value to our team and help us even if they are not playing, so we need to hopefully put themselves in a position where they can find hope. in the shape of a game and rhythm to see if they can help the team on the floor, but I think they are too guys to help the team off the floor too. ”

Regarding Two-way players Chris Chiozza and Reggie Perry, Nash said “I think those guys are going to hold around, but I think it’s also to be confirmed. ”

The NBA G League bubble kicks off Feb. 10 at Walt Disney World in Orlando and the Long Island Nets are among 18 teams involved.