James Harden available to play Monday vs. Mavericks [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Jan. 4, 1:33 p.m. — Harden is being listed as available to play in Monday’s game vs. the Mavs. Harden was held out of Saturday’s win over the Kings due to an ankle injury. With Harden back, Eric Gordon will head back to the bench as the 6th Man for Houston.

Houston Rockets All-Star James Harden is questionable to play in Monday’s game vs. the Mavericks due to an ankle sprain. Harden was held out of Saturday’s win over the Sacramento Kings due to the injury. The Rockets won both games against Sacramento with and without Harden. Harden did some shooting during practice on Sunday but will remain questionable to play.

With Harden sidelined on Saturday, the Rockets didn’t really miss a beat. Houston played a tight seven-man rotation and Eric Gordon and John Wall took over things in the back court. The duo combined for 49 points, and Christian Wood chipped in another double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. If Harden sits again, Gordon should draw another start and we should see another tight rotation, which is great for DFS.

Sterling Brown and Jae’Sean Tate were two players who saw additional minutes with Harden and Ben McLemore sidelined. Brown posted 11 points and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes, so he wouldn’t be a bad value option in DFS if Harden sits. Tate is a rookie and isn’t getting a ton of run, but has shown he can produce when given the chance. We can expect Wood, Wall and Gordon to soak up the majority of the fantasy production still.