James Harden leaves preseason game with knee injury

James Harden wants to prove he’s the NBA’s best player, and he can make a case.

This will derail his quest.

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:

Harden had rushed back to defend a break and got in front of Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier. When they collided, both went down, with Harden limping behind the floor seats at State Farm Arena and then straight to the locker room. He was ruled out with a bruised right knee.

Don't want to guess severity of injury this quickly but maybe can read into it that Daryl Morey and Rockets brass remained in seats at half.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 12, 2015

As soon as I typed that, Morey, Gersson Rosas got up, headed in that direction. Don't want to read into that either, but well, never mind.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 12, 2015

Obviously, if this is serious, it’d be a huge setback to the Rockets. Everything they do revolves around Harden – one of the biggest threats in the league with the ball in his hands.

But it’s also the preseason. They’ll take every precaution with any injury, especially one to a star.

At this point, the handling of Harden’s injury – at least what we can see – would look the same whether it’s major or minor. Decide for yourself whether that’s comforting or nerve-wracking.