The Philadelphia 76ers fell to the Portland Trail Blazers, 130-104, on Monday. The Sixers are 0-3 on their five-game trip as they have dealt with a wave of injuries.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have missed the previous two games for Philadelphia. On the bright side, the team welcomed Tobias Harris back from the illness he was battling and had kept him sideline the first two games of the trip.
It was obvious Harris was still feeling the effects of the illness. He shot just 1-for-7 in the first half and 3-for-9 for the game. He scored just nine points in the loss. That isn’t a normal Harris night.
“Just getting back physically from being sick, but for me, I’m out there playing … just see how I feel and be ready for the next game,” a somber Harris told reporters after the loss. “That’s it.”
Harris will eventually get over being sick and get back to what he does at a high level, but with the Sixers missing so many key pieces, it was important for them to have him back out there. He is one of the leaders of this group without Embiid and Maxey and he just needs time to recover.
However, he also knows that nobody cares that he’s sick on the floor. He has to produce.
“It’s basketball,” he explained. “Once you’re out there, no one cares. Whether you’re recovering or not, it is what it is. For me, now that I’ve got out there and see how I feel, just be ready for tomorrow.”
The Sixers will face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
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