The Nets are squaring off with the Jazz in a potential NBA Finals preview on Wednesday, but Brooklyn will be at less than full strength. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving remain out of the lineup, while Blake Griffin has been ruled out for rest purposes. Additionally, Harden is questionable with a neck injury on the second leg of a back-to-back. He was a true game-time decision for yesterday’s matchup vs. the Blazers but ended up playing 40 minutes in the win.
If Harden is unable to suit up, it will leave the team with none of their top offensive options. The team has played just 99 minutes with Harden, Durant, and Irving off the court since he was acquired from the Rockets, and they’ve been outscored by -6.4 points per 100 possessions. Landry Shamet leads the team in usage in that situation, but he’s also been ruled out due to an injury. Expect Joe Harris, Jeff Green, and Tyler Johnson to handle most of the offensive responsibilities if Harden is ultimately ruled out. Harris leads the team with an average of 1.40 FanDuel points per minute with Harden, Durant, and Irving off the court, but it’s over a sample size of just 25 minutes.
The Nets are currently listed as 10.5-point underdogs vs. the Jazz on FanDuel Sportsbook, which likely suggests they don’t expect Harden to suit up.
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