DALLAS -- Houston Rockets superstar guard James Harden sat out of his team's 105-82 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday due to left knee soreness.
Coach Mike D'Antoni said that Harden, who is leading the NBA in scoring with 31.1 points per game and ranks third in assists (8.8 per game), will play in Monday's home game against the San Antonio Spurs.
"A little rest, a little making sure he's ready for the next game," D'Antoni said.
The Rockets went 4-3 in a stretch in which Harden was sidelined by a hamstring strain earlier this season.
While Harden is expected back Monday, the Spurs will be without some of their stars for the Western Conference showdown.
The team announced Sunday that LaMarcus Aldridge (right knee soreness), Manu Ginobili (rest) and Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management) will sit out. Leonard has played in just nine games this season but could return as early as Thursday, according to ESPN's Lisa Salters.
