Nets receive good injury news on James Harden, Kevin Durant

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WASHINGTON — The Nets’ injury news isn’t all bad. It just seems that way sometimes.

But James Harden appears to have come through Monday’s knock just fine and is set to play in Wednesday’s game at Washington. Meanwhile, multiple specialists who spoke with The Post reiterated that Kevin Durant avoided a worst-case scenario with his knee injury.

Dr. Justen Elbayer, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at NYU Langone Health, told The Post a sprained left MCL should heal well without surgery and have Durant back on the floor well before playoff time.

“Regarding all of the ligaments to possibly injure in his knee, from what we’ve read regarding his injury, Mr. Durant’s isolated MCL sprain may actually be a best-case scenario,” Elbayer told The Post. “The MCL has a very rich blood supply and high propensity to heal, thus the majority of isolated MCL sprains can be treated well without any surgical intervention. In cases like this, this allows the athlete to have a shorter recovery.

“This is as opposed to an injury like an ACL tear, which has a very poor blood supply, and necessitates surgical intervention along with a prolonged rehabilitation, usually keeping the athlete out for 9 to 12 months. In rare instances, surgery may be needed for high-grade MCL sprains, but these are much less common and usually associated with other ligament injuries, such as an ACL tear.”

James Harden and Kevin Durant Getty Images; Jason Szenes

“In this case, it’s likely he’ll go through a rehab protocol to regain his motion and strength, all the while protecting his MCL to allow it to heal properly. In terms of a timeline back, it really depends on the grade of the injury. With lower-grade sprains, we’ve seen athletes come back to basketball in four to six weeks. This could be a bit longer with higher grade sprains. With around three months left in the season still to go, there’s a great chance he’ll be back to help the team.”

Harden took a knee to his left leg in Monday’s loss at Cleveland. He was forced out of the game but returned and played through it.

Though the Nets had said they’d have to wait to see if Harden had any swelling in the morning, the All-Star wasn’t listed on the injury report and is cleared to play.

DeAndre’ Bembry (back spasms) is questionable. But Durant, Nic Claxton (left hamstring tightness), Joe Harris (left ankle surgery) and Paul Millsap (personal reasons) are all out. Claxton had been questionable for Monday’s game.

Rookie Kessler Edwards is coming off consecutive double-figure scoring games for the first time in his career, and was 7-for-11 from deep vs. the Pelicans and Cavs. He also played solid defense when matched up with center Evan Mobley.

The Jan. 26 home game against Denver has been moved from 7:30 to an 8 p.m. start.

“James Harden left Houston to join two tremendous players to win a chip, and now he finds himself back in the very situation he fought hard to get out of”: Eddie A Johnson points out the former Rocket

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Former NBA player and Suns announcer Eddie A Johnson points out to James Harden finding himself in a situation similar to when he was in Houston.

Injury woes continue to hold the Brooklyn Nets from performing to their best. NBA’s leading scorer Kevin Durant has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, expected to miss 4-6 weeks. On the other hand, Kyrie Irving’s controversial anti-vaccination stance prohibits him from playing any home games.

Thus all the attention shifts to James Harden, who will have to do most of the heavy lifting for the team till at least KD returns. Harden had a rough start to the season, struggling from the field. In what many believe, the NBA’s latest anti foul-baiting rules played a factor in Harden’s slump lately.

However, his recent performances suggest he has found his groove back. The Beard is currently averaging 22.7 PPG, 10.0 APG, 8.0 RPG, and 1.4 SPG. However, his efficiency from the field continues to remain a cause of concern.

Also read: “Got y’all a championship and motherf***ers still ungrateful”: Kyrie Irving calls out heckling courtside Cavaliers fans who tried putting the guard off his game

With Durant out for some time and Irving on a part-time basis, Harden becomes the focal point of the Nets. Familiar territory for the former Rockers superstar.

Eddie Johnson believes James Harden is dealing with a situation similar to when he played for the Houston Rockets.

With Durant out and Irving only available for road games, Harden will be running the offense for the Nets on most nights. Though this is not alien to Harden, it is something for which he forced his way out of Houston. It will be interesting to see the former MVP play like his days in Houston.

Harden’s stint with the Houston Rockets saw him emerge as a superstar. In his 9-seasons with the team, Harden won a league MVP, three scoring titles, and six All-NBA First Team selections. However, there was a consistent dip in Harden’s performances come playoff time.

Mike D’antoni’s system of playing basketball heavily relied on the individual skills of Harden. Despite having Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook as teammates, Harden could never get past the conference finals. Multiple reports of him having issues with his teammates would always surface in the media.

His ouster from Houston turned ugly, with him publicly stating he wanted out. The former Rockets guard believed he had done everything he could for the Houston franchise. His showing up out of shape post the off-season created a stir. Ultimately, Harden had his way in being traded to the Nets.

James Harden left Houston to join two tremendous players to win a chip and now for the next 2 months he finds himself back in the very situation he fought hard to get out of, adjusting to a talented point guard ( like CP3, Russell Westbrook) but only for road games. #Nets — Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) January 19, 2022

It seems Déjà vu all over again, with Harden once again being the orchestrator for the Nets offense.

Also read: “Do this for me, just let Dwyane Wade be the first here”: Gary Payton on how he sold Shaquille O’Neal on letting Flash be the main guy in the 2006 Miami Heat team

It will be interesting to witness Harden become the scoring machine like his days in Houston.

Here’s What James Harden Said After The Nets Lost To The Cavs

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James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets lost in Cleveland to the Cavaliers 114-107 on Monday afternoon, and they were playing their first game since Kevin Durant went down with a knee injury on Saturday night.

The Nets are the third seed in the Eastern Conference, and 27-16 in 43 games on the season.

James Harden had 22 points, seven rebounds and ten assists in the game, and afterwards he spoke to reporters.

A clip of Harden speaking postgame can be seen in the tweet that is embedded below from the Twitter account of Yes Network.

“We had more than enough opportunities to win this game,” Harden said. “It’s on us.”

Harden also got banged up during the game, but sounds like he will be fine (see tweet below from SNY’s Nets Videos).

“I’m good, I should be alright,” Harden said.

James Harden donates essential supplies, basketball court to Haitian children

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Brooklyn Nets star James Harden isn’t just producing on the court.

The nine-time NBA All-Star, through his Impact13 Foundation, donated approximately 5,000 essential supplies to children in Haiti last week.

Performance apparel such as Adidas backpacks, socks, shoes, water bottles and basketballs as well as personal hygiene products such as Art of Sport deodorant, body wash, and lotion were distributed to more than 300 kids. Gopuff, the go-to platform for instant delivery of everyday needs, partnered with Impact13 Foundation to donate 3,000 personal hygiene products, including condoms, tampons, menstrual pads and postpartum underwear.

“Leading by example is the best way I can inspire others to step up and join the effort to help change lives for the better,” Harden told Yahoo Sports. “I’ve read about the poverty in Haiti and the disadvantages they face every day, and I want to make sure I am doing my part to help where I can.”

Furthermore, Harden partnered with Foundation Barbancourt in Haiti and local artist Olivier A. Ganthier to supply a new basketball court that features Ganthier’s creative artwork.

James Harden partnered with Barbancourt Foundation Haiti and local artist Olivier A. Ganthier to supply a new basketball court that features Ganthier’s creative artwork. (Provided by James Harden’s Impact 13 Foundation)

“Well, it’s the right thing to do,” Harden told Yahoo Sports. “I wanted to leave something special behind that will last for generations and this court will give kids the opportunity to have a safe place to hoop and will inspire them to chase their dreams of making it to the NBA or WNBA.”

The 13-year veteran spoke on why he chose Haiti.

“Haiti is a beautiful country with hardworking, resilient people,” Harden told Yahoo Sports. “Bringing the game of basketball as well as other resources to Haiti would give the youth more opportunities to have a better life. Sports have the power to change lives. I have a friend who has Haitian roots, and his team reached out to let my team know about Foundation Barbancourt and all the amazing work they are doing for their community, so I wanted to get involved.”

On the court, Harden is seeking his first championship. But off the court, he’s seeking to be a champion of supplying resources to the underprivileged youth all across the world.

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“A goal of mine is to win the NBA Community Assist Award,” Harden revealed to Yahoo Sports. “I have always been active within my community, but this year and moving forward, I will do more within my community and globally. Through my Impact 13 Foundation, we want to impact the lives of thousands and inspire the youth to chase their dreams.”

Watch James Harden’s Ridiculous Pass

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The Brooklyn Nets were in Chicago taking on the Bulls on Wednesday night, and the two teams came into the game as the first and second seeds in the Eastern Conference.

During the game, 2018 MVP James Harden threw an incredible pass, and the clip can be seen in the tweet that is embedded below from the Twitter account of the Nets.

Harden and the Nets won 138-112 to improve to 26-14 in 40 games on the season, and gained a full game on the Bulls, who fell to 27-12 in 39 games.

The Nets are now just 1.5 games behind the Bulls for first seed.

The Bulls have not made the playoffs since all the way back in 2017 when they had Jimmy Butler.

However, this year they have been an incredible surprise.

As for the Nets, they are expected to be one of the top teams in the NBA.

Harden finished the game with 25 points, seven rebounds and 16 assists.