Nets' James Harden exits Game 1 vs. Bucks with injury

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Jun 5, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard James Harden (13) warms up before game one of the Eastern Conference semifinal series of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 5, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard James Harden (13) warms up before game one of the Eastern Conference semifinal series of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It was just seconds into the second round when the Brooklyn Nets lost one of their three stars. 

James Harden exited Game 1 of the Nets' matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks after suffering a hamstring injury while driving to the basket on the first possession of the game. The Nets called a timeout 43 seconds in and Harden immediately walked to the locker room.  

The team later announced that Harden would be out for the remainder of the game. 

Harden missed 18 straight games late in the regular season with a hamstring injury before returning for two of the Nets' final three games. Harden played in all five games against the Boston Celtics in the first round, averaging 27.8 points, 10.6 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 36.5 minutes per game.

With few teams being able to match the offensive firepower of a fully-healthy Nets team, injury could be the team's biggest threat in the postseason. The star trio of Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving played just eight games together during the regular season because of various injuries and absences.

If Harden's hamstring injury is serious, the Big Three could be down to the Big Two for a while. 

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