Houston Rockets star James Harden is confident the hamstring problem that forced him out of the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz will not keep him sidelined for long.

Harden exited the 100-89 defeat with more than five minutes of the final period remaining, the reigning NBA MVP having to watch on as the Rockets slipped to 1-3 from their opening four matches.

Head coach Mike D'Antoni said Harden was withdrawn due to "a little tightness" and the 29-year-old does not expect to miss as many games as he did last season when a grade-two strain saw him sit out seven matches.

"Just felt tightness in my left hamstring," he said. "We'll see how it feels [on Thursday].

"It's nothing serious, nothing serious. Not close to last year. Just being cautious."

Six-time All-Star Harden had 29 points, seven assists and seven turnovers before being withdrawn.