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James Harden has lengthy been probably the most NBA’s sturdy gamers, however he might be getting stretched to his limits this season.
After the Brooklyn Nets misplaced to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Thursday, Harden admitted that he’s feeling gassed.
“Drained,” stated Harden, per Nets writer Chris Milholen. “Exhausted. It’s been loopy simply due to the COVID.”
Harden added that the Nets, who had been coming off a street sport towards the Chicago Bulls the evening earlier than, landed round 5 AM on the morning of the Thunder sport. Thus, Harden was not capable of go to mattress till 7 AM.
It has been a brutal stretch for the Nets, who performed 4 video games in 5 days, going from Brooklyn to Portland to Chicago and again to Brooklyn. Their fatigue was obvious as they received blown out by Oklahoma Metropolis 130-109. Harden shot simply 7-for-22 from the sector.
This season has additionally been significantly taxing for Harden, who’s second on the staff with 36 video games performed and 36.8 minutes per sport. He missed time final month in well being and security protocols however has barely taken any video games off for relaxation. With Kyrie Irving lacking a lot of the season and nonetheless ineligible for house video games, each Harden and Kevin Durant have been tasked with huge obligations for Brooklyn. For his half nevertheless, Durant has downplayed workload considerations (although he did sit out the Thunder sport to relaxation).
“Let me die on the market. Nah I am simply enjoying” 🤣
Kevin Durant says he is not involved about his heavy minutes, however will take his relaxation days if the Nets implement it
“I will assist it, however I am not in search of one. I am simply gonna play till they inform me that I am sitting out” pic.twitter.com/rSEqTMiugY
— Nets Movies (@SNYNets) January 11, 2022
StatMuse notes that Harden has performed essentially the most minutes of any NBA participant over the past ten years with 27,320 (virtually a thousand greater than some other participant). He additionally had a current damage that took longer than anticipated to heal. Whereas the Nets don’t actually have a lot of a selection with their roster shortages attributable to COVID and different causes, the burnout danger for Harden might be price monitoring because the staff strikes in direction of and into the playoffs.
Picture: Feb 16, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) reacts towards the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Area. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities
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