Nets keep on Blazin’ without Irving
Kick Kyrie-less road trip off with victory in Portland
While Kevin Durant continues to work his way back from a hamstring strain and Kyrie Irving takes a break to deal with a family matter, James Harden keeps playing every game like its his very last in a Brooklyn uniform.
“That’s just who I am, that’s just how I’m built,” Harden said after amassing 25 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds in the Nets’ 116-112 victory over the Trail Blazers at Portland’s Moda Center.
Though Harden thought about sitting out the opener of Brooklyn’s three-game road trip due to a sore neck, he opted instead to further bolster his candidacy for league Most Valuable Player honors.