NEW ORLEANS — Houston Rockets guard James Harden missed his first game of the season Sunday night with a toe sprain.
“He probably could [play], but given the circumstances it’s better that he doesn’t,” coach Mike D’Antoni said before the game. “He’s banged up a little bit.”
With Russell Westbrook also out (rest), the Rockets started Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Harden played 39 minutes in Saturday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets in a 108-98 win. He finished with 44 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists.
In the past three seasons, Houston is 8-6 when Harden doesn’t play and the team is 17-12 without Harden in his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Harden is averaging a league-leading 38.3 points per game this season.
The Rockets were also without center Clint Capela, who missed his second consecutive game with a heel injury.
Source : ESPN
