• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Larry Brown Sports

Larry Brown Sports

Brown Bag it, Baby

  • Home
  • Blog View
  • NFL
  • NCAAF
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • Media
  • Headlines
  • Podcast
BasketballJames HardenNBA playoffs 2013

James Harden’s strep throat so bad he struggled to drink water

May 3, 2013 by Larry Brown • Comments
FacebookTweetLinkedInRedditThreadsWhatsAppEmail

James HardenJames Harden has been playing for the Houston Rockets despite being ill.

The Rockets guard scored 31 points in a surprising Game 5 win over the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, which was extremely impressive considering he was sick and later diagnosed with strep throat.

Harden still played in Game 6 despite the illness.

During Game 6, ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported that Harden’s throat was so bad during Game 5 that he had difficulty drinking water during timeouts. Rowe says Harden had to spray his throat with Chloraseptic to numb it before drinking water. Harden also had an IV at the hospital on Thursday.

Harden still played plenty of minutes and was Houston’s top scorer in the first half of Game 6.

He’s not exactly going to be remembered like Michael Jordan was for the “flu game,” but Harden’s effort is pretty impressive nonetheless.

  • i want more great stories!

Sign up today for free and get the best sports content sent to your inbox.

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

.

Follow Us

Get instantly notified of the most viral news stories via Google!

  • Trending stories

Brandon McManus in his Packers uniform

Everyone said the same thing about Packers’ decision to release their kicker

4 days ago
Donovan Mitchell crossing over Tobias Harris

Donovan Mitchell injures Tobias Harris with a wicked crossover in Game 2

4 days ago
Taylor Heinicke on the practice field

Former cult hero NFL quarterback announces his retirement

5 days ago
Charles Barkley in a suit

Charles Barkley shares his feelings about Draymond Green’s insult

4 days ago
Kurt Warner working an NFL game

Kurt Warner’s son lands NFL rookie camp invitation

6 days ago

Sidebar


  • don’t miss these

LeBron James looks on

LeBron James had a loaded quote after losing to the Thunder

26 minutes ago
Cameron Boozer in his Duke uniform

Everyone said the same thing about Cam Boozer’s quote on being a winner

6 hours ago100
JJ Redick in a black Lakers sweater

Fans slammed JJ Redick for his bizarre call that backfired in final seconds of Game 4

7 hours ago341
Warriors coach Steve Kerr in a blue warmup jacket

Steve Kerr in favor of radical NBA rule change that would upset Steph Curry

8 hours ago125
Dillon Brooks smiling at LeBron James during Thunder-Lakers Game 4

Dillon Brooks pulled savage stunt to troll LeBron James in Game 4

9 hours ago226
Donovan Mitchell smiling in a Cavaliers uniform

Donovan Mitchell sets absurd record to crush Pistons in Game 4

10 hours ago46
  • popular stories

Victor Wembanyama elbowing Naz Reid

Victor Wembanyama gets ejected from Game 4 for elbowing Naz Reid

Luka Doncic spinning the ball on his finger

Luka Doncic ruthlessly trolls injured Jarred Vanderbilt

The Denver Broncos logo

Broncos emerge as possible landing spot for QB known for a notorious game

Mike Vrabel at a press conference

Report: Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini rented a boat together while she was pregnant

Aaron Rodgers delivers a pass

Aaron Rodgers’ 2026 plans may already be clear

Jarred Vanderbilt hitting his finger

Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt suffers gruesome finger injury in Game 1 vs. Thunder

Get the App

© 2026 · LB Sports Media Group Inc · Powered by Springwire.ai

  • X
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • RSS Feed
  • About Larry Brown Sports
  • Contact
  • Editorial Process
  • Staff Writers
  • Privacy Policy
Dedicated to the memory of Nevil Vega
Team/Player Stats