James Harden injury: Game-time decision Wednesday with ankle sprain

James Harden is considered a game-time decision for the Houston Rockets’ Christmas Day game against the San Antonio Spurs as he continues recovering from an ankle sprain, reports Mark Berman of Fox Houston. Harden stated his ankle has improved since the injury occurred. He has missed the team’s last two games because of the injury.

Francisco Garcia has started in Harden’s absence, averaging 9.5 points over the two-game span.

Houston’s backcourt depth has been thin throughout the season. Harden has missed a total of six games this season with ankle and foot injuries, Jeremy Lin has missed 10 games with a knee sprain and back spasms, and Patrick Beverley is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a fractured hand.

Harden is averaging 23.9 points and 5.6 assists per game this season, leading the team in each category. When the Rockets and Spurs last played he scored a game-high 31 points and made crucial plays in the fourth quarter to hold off the Spurs’ comeback.

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