Houston has already played without the title MVP, James Harden, and the Rockets are doing well. But that can be a different story.

Harden will miss at least the next two games with tension at the left hamstring and will be re-evaluated before the team's five-game trip starting Nov. 2 in Brooklyn.

The guard left Wednesday's game against Utah Jazz in the middle of the fourth quarter of Houston's loss, which brought the Rockets down to 1-3. They also played the game without Chris Paul, who was serving the second half of his two-game suspension for his role in the Los Angeles Lakers-Rockets field scrum.

The slow start of the Rockets, combined with Harden's injuries, aggravates the problems of the beginning of the season.

Harden told reporters that nothing was serious and certified sports coach Jeff Stotts, who maintains a comprehensive database on injuries to the NBA, tweeted, "A Grade 1+ strain means that muscle fibers have damaged, but not enough to classify them. in grade 2 or partial tear. These injuries are usually accompanied by pain during movement but minimal functional loss. "

Harden missed seven games in January of last season with a sprained left thigh grade 2.

Houston's next seven games will feature tough tests: the Los Angeles Clippers, the Portland Trail Blazers, and a game that will include clashes against the Brooklyn Blacks, the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.

Houston will also be deprived of James Ennis (slender right at right hock 2nd year) at least for the next two games. And Nene, who has not played this season yet, will miss at least the next two weeks with a tense calf.

Follow Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt

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