Because it's gonna be tough to win anyway without Ariza. Don't want Harden to reinjure himself in that situation
http://m.chron.com/sports/rockets/a...m_source=CMS Sharing Button&utm_medium=social The Rockets spoke of James Harden's return to the floor on Thursday as if it were as specifically scheduled as the Fourth of July. Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni was even more detailed, saying that unless Harden suffered any setbacks from his first practice since his hamstring injury he would be listed as probable. arden remained a bit more cautious. D'Antoni worried, though not about Harden or his hamstring. "I'm as good as it can get," Harden said. "We'll see. We'll see how today goes, first time practicing. We'll just take it for what it is, try to work, try to go through practice without any pain or discomfort and see how tomorrow goes." Harden, who missed more than two weeks since he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on New Year's Eve, had done enough on-court work for the Rockets to be confident he will not have any issues during a practice. But how he feels the day after will be a final test. Harden missed seven games with the injury and will likely be restricted to 24 or 25 minutes, D'Antoni said. Asked about the longest layoff of his career, Harden said, "Don't remind me, please
I'm just happy to be back out here with the coaching staff and the team preparing for a game. It just feels good to be out here, around your teammates, that group, get energy and just hooping again. Two-and-a-weeks felt like a very long time. I look back at it and just say it was needed mentally, physically and just to get my mind right, obviously my body as well. I don't want to go through that again."
