Photo: Tim Warner/Getty Images Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle Photo: Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

Rockets guard James Harden could return from his strained left hamstring as soon as Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said, before Harden went through some of Sunday's practice in UCLA, his first practice time with the team since the injury Dec. 31.

Harden's return "could be Thursday or Saturday, I don't know," D'Antoni said. "We'll see how it is. Each day he's got to get better. We'll see. Whenever he's ready.

The Rockets have gone 4-2 in games without Harden. They face the Clippers Monday at Staples Center before home games against the Timberwolves and Warriors. All three are 10-3 in their past three games, the best record in that stretch in the NBA going into Sunday's games.

"He's a little bit away," D'Antoni said. "Luc (Mbah a Moute) and Tarik (Black,) back, then we get him and Nene and back and we're at full strength and that's not too far off."

Nene has been out since he bruised his right knee Jan. 3. Black missed one game with a right eye abrasion. Mbah a Moute has been out with a dislocated shoulder since Dec. 13.