Welp, so much for the Warriors getting revenge on James Harden and the fully-healthy Rockets.
Rockets star James Harden will not play vs. the Warriors due to a neck strain and flu-like symptoms, Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni announced Saturday afternoon.
"In practice he got hit and woke up wrong the next day and it was sore," D'Antoni said. "It might've played even with the sore neck. He has a little bit of the flu or whatever. It's a combination of everything."
As Anthony Slater of The Athletic notes, this is the second straight Saturday night primetime game that an opposing star will sit against the Warriors.
James Harden will not play vs Warriors tonight. Brutal for the NBA. Second straight ABC Saturday night game that an opposing star has sat in Oracle (LeBron, load management).— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 24, 2019
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Harden is averaging an astounding 36.5 points per game this season and is in contention for his second consecutive MVP award.
He drilled the game-winning three-pointer in the last meeting between these two Western Conference heavyweights, but won't be there for the rematch.
[RELATED: Why Warriors can thank Harden, Rockets for hot streak]
Chris Paul and Clint Capela give the Rockets enough firepower to still pose a threat to the Dubs, but this certainly dampens the highly-anticipated matchup.
