The Philadelphia 76ers got back at it on Thursday as they continue to prepare for the 2021-22 season. They practiced at home before Friday’s preseason finale with the Detroit Pistons on the road, but they are still missing a few pieces to their team.
Tobias Harris continues to be held out of practice as he is still dealing with right knee soreness. He has only played in one of the three preseason games and he will miss Friday’s game as well, per coach Doc Rivers.
“He did everything today before practice, all the running and stuff, but nothing team-wise,” Rivers stated. “He won’t go to Detroit, I know that for sure.”
Rivers did add that Harris would absolutely go if this was a playoff game, but considering that it is just a meaningless preseason game, it makes sense to hold him out.
“It’s part of the plan,” Rivers stated. “If this was the playoffs, Tobias would be playing, let’s put it that way. We just felt like let’s get ahead of it. Make sure there’s no lingering problems.”
The Sixers open the season on Oct. 20 so Rivers just wants to be sure that everybody is good to go by that game against the New Orleans Pelicans on the road and getting everybody on the same page, especially Harris.
“Sitting with people who are smarter than me, we felt like building him up, we play Friday, we’ll have Saturday off, we’ll have three good days of practice, we’re hoping every single guy is on the practice floor by Sunday,” the coach added. “That’s what we’re looking for.”
Other than Harris, the Sixers will also be missing Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, and Grant Riller as well. Milton is dealing with a right ankle sprain, Thybulle has right shoulder soreness, and Riller is out with a torn meniscus in his left knee. Those guys will miss the game against the Pistons as well as they will not travel to the Motor City.
“Neither will Matisse, I think, or Shake or Grant,” Rivers said when asked about those three.
As for Tyrese Maxey, he missed Monday’s game due to left adductor tightness. He did practice on Thursday and is good to go for Friday.
“Tyrese is good to go,” beamed the coach. “He had a great practice today.”
Philadelphia will finish the preseason at Little Caesars Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. EDT.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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