Harden making Nets debut Saturday vs. Magic

James Harden is making his highly anticipated Brooklyn Nets debut Saturday against the Orlando Magic.

The 2018 MVP was forced to sit out practice Friday while waiting for all players involved in the multi-team deal sending him to Brooklyn to pass their physicals. Nets head coach Steve Nash recently said Harden would be inserted into the starting lineup as soon as he became available to play.

Nash said Harden isn't on a minutes restrictions for Saturday's contest, but the team will monitor the 31-year-old's usage.

"We don't want to run the batteries down on our new Christmas gift," Nash said, according to USA Today's Mark Medina.

Brooklyn isn't at full strength despite having Harden and co-star Kevin Durant on the court. Floor general Kyrie Irving, who has missed the Nets' last five games for personal reasons, remains out of the lineup as he continues to ramp up his basketball activity before returning to action.

Harden averaged 24.8 points, 10.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in eight games with the Houston Rockets to start the 2020-21 campaign.