James Harden: Rockets star makes worrying injury claim after win over Mavericks
JAMES HARDEN extended his streak of consecutive 30-point games despite claiming his shoulder injury is limiting his shooting technique, as the Houston Rockets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-104 Monday.
The 29-year-old left it late to surpass 30-point mark as he hit a three-pointer with 52.9 seconds left in the game to give him 31 points and keep his streak alive.
He rounded out his stats on the night with eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
After the game Harden admitted the shoulder injury he sustained in the Rockets loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder hasn’t fully recovered.
“I was getting treatment after the last game, then all day yesterday,” he said.
Today, just been icing and doing the proper work that I need to do, to go out there and play
“Today, just been icing and doing the proper work that I need to do, to go out there and play today.”
Harden explained that he “couldn’t get the lift” that he usually wants for his shooting.
Which might explain why he struggled shooting the ball at the Toyota Center, as he went nine-for-23 from the field and only made six-of-17 from beyond the arc.
Harden also emphasised how the Mavericks “were doubling, putting two on the ball” and how that limited his looks.
Harden revealed that his scoring streak wasn’t on his mind late in the game.
“I was worried about winning,” he added.
“They were making shots, coming back, cut the lead to ten points or something like that.
“So I just wanted to get the proper shots and like I said, they put two on the ball and got it off a few times.”
James Harden: Nothing can slow me down or stop me
Rockets fans and staff will be concerned Harden’s injury hasn’t improved at all during the game but last year’s MVP is hopeful it will make it through their next game before the All-Star break.
“Shoulder didn’t get any better during the game,” Harden said.
“We have one more game before the break. Hopefully I’ll rest it, get rehab and treatment and get it stronger.”
Next up for the Rockets is a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.