NEW ORLEANS -- Houston Rockets guard James Harden missed his first game of the season Sunday night with a toe sprain.
"He probably could [play], but given the circumstances it's better that he doesn't," coach Mike D'Antoni said before the game. "He's banged up a little bit."
With Russell Westbrook also out (rest), the Rockets started Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon against the New Orleans Pelicans, losing 127-112.
Harden played 39 minutes in Saturday's game against the Brooklyn Nets in a 108-98 win.