The Brooklyn Nets head to the nation's capital on Thursday night in desperate need of a win having dropped the last nine.
The Nets have fallen all the way to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 29-25 record through 54 games, but injury has played a major part in their slide down the rankings. With Kevin Durant ruled out for four to six weeks with an MCL sprain since Jan. 16, James Harden has had to carry a lot of the load recently, especially with Kyrie Irving only available for road games.
The problem? Harden has not played since Feb. 2.
In his last game, against the Kings, Harden finished with just four points and six turnovers on 2-of-11 shooting from the field as the Nets lost, 112-101.
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Is James Harden playing tonight vs. Wizards?
It has been confirmed that Harden will miss the game against the Wizards with left hamstring tightness.
Harden will miss his fourth consecutive game.
The Nets have ruled James Harden (left hamstring tightness) OUT for Thursday's game at Washington.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 9, 2022
The superstar guard has had some stellar games this season but the hamstring has been an issue in 2021-22, an injury that seemed to have carried over from last year's playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Adding to the tension in Brooklyn are the rumors of Harden's interest to be traded away from Nets to the 76ers, in what would be a reunion with Daryl Morey, and there are some suggestions the star is sitting out in anticipation of a move away.
According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, Harden and LaMarcus Aldridge did not travel to Washington. They instead stayed behind to "work with the Nets performance coaches."
MORE: What could lead to Harden's exit in Brooklyn?
In 44 games this season, The Beard is averaging 22.5 points (lowest since 2011-12 season), 10.2 assists and 8.0 rebounds on shooting splits of 41.4 percent (lowest since rookie year) from the field and 33.2 percent (career-low) from beyond the arc.
When the Nets last faced the Wizards this season on Jan. 19, Harden had 18 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a narrow 119-118 victory.
What channel is Wizards vs. Nets on?
- TV channel (national): TNT
- TV channel (Nets' region): YES Network
- Live stream: NBA League Pass
Apart from being nationally televised on TNT, the game will be broadcast locally in the Nets' region on the YES Network.
The game can also be found on NBA League Pass outside of the U.S.
Wizards vs. Nets start time
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 10
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
Wizards vs. Nets is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The game will tip-off shortly after the scheduled start time.
Wizards upcoming schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Feb. 10 | vs Nets | 7:30 p.m | TNT |
| Feb. 12 | vs. Kings | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Feb. 14 | vs. Pistons | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Feb. 16 | at Pacers | 7:30 p.m | - |
| Feb. 17 | at Nets | 7:30 p.m | - |
Nets upcoming schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Feb. 10 | at Wizards | 7:30 p.m | TNT |
| Feb. 12 | at Heat | 8:00 p.m | - |
| Feb. 14 | vs. Kings | 7:30 p.m | - |
| Feb. 16 | at Knicks | 7:30 p.m | ESPN |
| Feb. 17 | vs. Wizards | 7:30 p.m | - |
