Rockets star guard Harden back in starting lineup against Hawks

Houston Rockets star guard James Harden was back in the starting lineup against the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Monday, two days after sitting out against the Golden State Warriors because of a neck injury. Harden, who had scored at least 30 points in each of his past 32 games, told reporters at the morning shootaround that he wasn't sure if he would be able to go as he continued to deal with a cervical strain.

"It's my first time touching a basketball in a few days, so we'll see," Harden told reporters. Harden, who leads the NBA with an average of 36.5 points per game, said he was injured during a practice last Wednesday when he ran into a teammate.

"I feel better," Harden said. "Every day, it's gotten better. I wasn't able to really move my neck. So it affected me, not in just basketball, but day-to-day life walking around. It's tough to just hold your head up. Even when you sleep, it's kind of a lose-lose situation. ... Hopefully, the pain goes away. I've been getting treatment nonstop." The Rockets beat the defending champs without the reigning NBA MVP on Saturday, winning 118-112 in Oakland, Calif.