National Basketball Association

Harden out, Lin back for Rockets against Mavs

Published Dec. 23, 2013 7:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

Houston guard James Harden is out for a second straight game for the Rockets against the Mavericks, but Jeremy Lin will play after missing time with back spasms.

Harden, who leads the team in scoring with 23.9 points a game, will sit out Monday night with a sprained left ankle. Lin has missed four games recently with back spasms.

The Rockets are also without guard Patrick Beverley, who has a right hand injury and center Omer Asik, who has missed the last nine games with a right thigh bruise.