Nash 'heartbroken' for Harden, unclear on Game 2 status

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash commiserated with James Harden after a hamstring issue forced the guard to exit Game 1 of the team's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Milwaukee Bucks early in the first quarter.

Nash doesn't know if Harden will be available for Game 2.

"You never want to see that from someone like James who's such an important player, such an incredible player, and cares so much," Nash told reporters, courtesy of SNY. "I'm heartbroken for him. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know if he's playing next game, if he's out, I have no idea."

"... This guy was so ready and excited to play tonight," he continued. "And you know the preparation he puts in, you know how much he cares about the game, how much he cares about his team, so you never want to see that when someone gives everything they have toward this."

Harden suffered the injury on his first drive and left just 43 seconds into the contest. The 31-year-old missed 18 consecutive games late in the regular season with an injury to the same hamstring.

The Nets are awaiting MRI results.

"I didn't realize what had happened until he started walking off the court," Nets forward Kevin Durant said. "But we were supposed to run a play and he wasn't in his spot and then I looked at him, he was grimacing. So it just sucks. It sucks. It sucks because I want him to be out there.

"I know how much he cares. I know how much he wants to be in this moment. It sucks. Wishing him a speedy recovery. We're going to keep him involved as much as possible. But it's just a bad break."

Despite Harden's injury, the Nets defeated the Bucks 115-107 to take a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 tips off Monday in Brooklyn before the series shifts to Milwaukee for Games 3 and 4.