Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris has had an up and down tenure in the City of Brotherly Love, but to begin the 2020-21 season, he has been playing some pretty solid basketball.
The Sixers versatile forward continues his strong play on Wednesday as he had 22 points and five assists in a 117-109 win over the Boston Celtics at home. Harris stepped up as the second star that the team needed in order to pull out the win and he was able to make big plays in the fourth quarter to help Philadelphia close it out.
“Tobias had a great night,” said Joel Embiid who had 42 points in the win. “He’s playing at an All-Star level as he should be and he should be an All-Star.”
Harris got the Sixers off to a fast start as he had nine of their first 11 points after some guys struggled outside of Embiid. His ability to be that secondary scorer on this night was huge for the starting lineup.
“I thought he was huge early in the game,” said coach Doc Rivers. “He got off to a quick start. I don’t think he got one shot in the third quarter and so we got to do better there, and everyone does have to recognize you got a guy going.”
His play around Embiid and Ben Simmons has been a big factor for them to begin the season. He has been making quick decisions, he hasn’t been second-guessing himself and he’s been getting to the basket and finishing. The Sixers did not get that from him in the past.
“I’ve always been a confident player, but being put in those positions to be successful out there,” Harris said. “We all know the success can only go with how great the team is playing. The more we win, the better our confidence as a whole group is and for myself, just to be able to find a flow, and continue to run with a game after game, and progress.”
Philadelphia rewarded Harris with a 5-year max contract in the offseason of 2019. They truly believe that he can be that third star for them and he has been proving it so far under the guidance of Rivers. Now, it is just about keeping it going.
“I just pride myself on doing whatever I can for our team,” he finished. “Making winning plays and the right play out there so that’s just been my MO and I know my role as a player and I know what’s asked me night after night to be a leader and also to be a top player on this team and I’m embracing that.”
Philadelphia has another matchup with the Celtics on Friday so they will need Harris to continue to play well out on the perimeter.
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