Harden, Millsap clear health and safety protocols

Brooklyn Nets guards James Harden and Jevon Carter and forward Paul Millsap are out of the league's COVID-19 protocols, head coach Steve Nash said Thursday, courtesy of Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

Their clearances come just in time for the Nets' next game: a prime-time Christmas Day showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite their returns, Brooklyn's roster remains depleted; Cam Thomas, David Duke Jr., and Kessler Edwards all entered the health and safety protocols Thursday, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.

Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre' Bembry, James Johnson, Bruce Brown, and Day'Ron Sharpe are also still sidelined due to the league's COVID-19 framework. Nash added that he doesn't expect any other players to clear protocols ahead of Saturday's game in Los Angeles, according to the Daily News' Kristian Winfield.

Millsap was the first member of the Nets to enter protocols amid their current outbreak on Dec. 13, with Carter and Harden following suit the next day. Brooklyn has had three games postponed since then, but the contest against the Lakers remains on course as scheduled.