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.