The Houston Rockets had a scare Sunday in a 123–119 preseason loss to the Orlando Magic when star guard James Harden left the game with a knee injury.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Harden had a bruised knee after a collision with Magic guard Evan Fournier while he was defending a fast break play in the first half.
The report added that Harden did not utter a word after hurting his knee and did not seem to have a hard time walking with it, but was limping as he headed to the locker room.
Before leaving the game, the 26-year-old played 13 minutes, scoring 12 points, one rebound, four assists, two steals, and one block.
The Rockets had a 22-point lead in the first quarter and were playing well, but Orlando staged a comeback to hand Sunday's hosts their second defeat of the preseason in three games.
Houston guards Ty Lawson and Corey Brewer are positive that Harden's injury was not that serious.
"He said it's not really that serious. We just want him to get better and get healthy so he can get back to playing well," Lawson, who was traded from the Denver Nuggets in the offseason, said, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Meanwhile, Brewer added, "You kind of know if it's serious. I think he just bumped it a bit. Preseason lasts a long time. He has time to heal."
Harden is very active in this year's preseason playing in all three games of the Rockets so far.
The Rockets will next face the Phoenix Suns, who are currently undefeated in two games played in the preseason, and after that will play four more games before opening the season.
Houston will begin the 2015–16 regular season with a two-game home stand facing the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 28 and the defending champions Golden State Warriors on Oct. 30.
