NEW ORLEANS -- Houston Rockets guard James Harden will miss his first game of the season Sunday night with a toe sprain, according to coach Mike D'Antoni.
"He probably could [play], but given the circumstances it's better that he doesn't," D'Antoni said before the game. "He's banged up a little bit."
With Russell Westbrook also out (rest), the Rockets will start Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Harden played 39 minutes in Saturday's game against the Brooklyn Nets in a 108-98 win. He finished with 44 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists.
This will be the first game he has missed this season. In the past three seasons, Houston is 8-6 when Harden doesn't play and the team is 17-12 without Harden in his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Harden is averaging a league-leading 38.3 points per game this season.
The Rockets will also be without center Clint Capela, who will miss his second consecutive game with a heel injury.
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