Orlando Magic veteran guard Gary Harris looks like he’s “getting close” to creating his season debut after being sidelined for the primary 13 video games whereas recovering from an arthroscopic meniscectomy he had Aug. 31 on his left knee after tearing his meniscus.
How shut stays unknown.
“I can’t really say one day or the other because some days are better than others right now, but it’s feeling good right now,” Harris advised the Orlando Sentinel forward of Friday’s house win over the Phoenix Suns. “Just trying to keep it that way.”
Harris, who was additionally sidelined for coaching camp, advised the Sentinel he’s pain-free.
He added that he’s been getting “up and down fullcourt” with coaches enjoying 4-on-4 and 5-on-5, confirming what coach Jamahl Mosley not too long ago advised reporters.
Mosley mentioned going up in opposition to coaches is what Harris did throughout Saturday’s follow.
Harris has been getting up photographs pregame this previous week at Amway Center, sometimes an encouraging signal for a gamers’ return-to-play progress.
“I’m moving around a little bit right now.,” Harris mentioned. “I’m really trying to get my timing back. Get back in basketball shape. I’m testing stuff out each day. I get more comfortable around the court.”
The Magic have gone 3-2 thus far of their season-long seven-game homestand, which ends with matchups vs. the Charlotte Hornets Monday and Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday.
When requested if he might return earlier than the homestretch ends, Harris responded “man, I just got to take it one day at a time.”
“[Friday] was a good day,” he mentioned. “Hopefully we have another good day [Saturday] and keep it moving and see how it goes.”
He added he didn’t have “certain expectations or days” when requested if he thought he’d be again on the ground by now.
Harris, who was on an expiring contract for 2021-22 that paid him $20.5 million, signed a 2-year, $26 million extension to return to Orlando earlier than free company formally began July 1.
He has a $13 million, fully-guaranteed wage for the 2022-23 season and a $13 million non-guaranteed wage for 2023-24. His 2023-24 wage turns into totally assured after June 30, 2023.
Harris completed the season averaging 11.1 factors on 43.4% capturing from the sphere and 38.4% capturing on 3s for a 53.9% efficient discipline aim proportion — a components that adjusts for 3-pointers being value greater than 2-pointers.
He’s coming off his healthiest season in just a few years, showing in 61 video games, essentially the most he’s performed in a season since 2017-18. His eFG% was the best it has been since then, too.
Harris has suffered varied minor accidents all through his profession however the meniscectomy was his first surgical procedure, he mentioned, offering totally different challenges through the rehab course of.
“It’s just different,” Harris mentioned. “Different movements. It’s something I have to get back comfortable and familiar with after my first one. Just seeing how my body responds.”
Harris was one in all six gamers who was sidelined Friday, together with Cole Anthony (torn proper inner indirect), Paolo Banchero (sprained left ankle), Markelle Fultz (fractured left huge toe), Jonathan Isaac (left knee damage restoration) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot).
Mosley mentioned Banchero practiced Saturday, including “he went through all the drills we put forth for him”, that his standing stays everyday and he’ll be a game-time determination for Monday.
“[Isaac and Harris are] still doing the things they were doing the past couple of days, going up against coaches,” Mosley mentioned. “Markelle is still doing his individual work, not necessarily going against coaches but [an] individual non-contact deal. Moe Wagner, similar, no-contact, going through his own routine and getting that foot stable.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com