The Denver Nuggets will be getting a boost in the form of Gary Harris returning to the lineup for Game 6 against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Harris hasn’t played since the NBA restarted at the end of July due to a strained hip. However, Woj says the guard has made significant progress in recent workouts, paving his way for a return in an attempt to help the Nuggets make a big series comeback. The delay caused by the NBA player strike likely helped matters.
Denver fell behind 3-1 against the Jazz and looked to be down and out in Game 5. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic had other ideas, though, leading the Nuggets back from a 15-point second-half deficit to a 117-107 victory.
Even if Harris isn’t fully back at 100% health, his presence should be helpful, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Denver’s defense has been leaky in the bubble, and having another capable wing defender to guard Donovan Mitchell will be a nice option for head coach Michael Malone.
It has admittedly been a rocky season for Harris, with injuries slowing him down throughout. He averaged just 10.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 56 games while shooting 42.0% overall and 33.3% from 3-land. These struggles came after a similarly down 2018-19 campaign, which followed a career season in 2017-18.
Still, Harris had been showing signs of life before the NBA went on hiatus in March. Hopefully, the Nuggets will be getting that version of Gary Harris and not the limited one as they fight for their playoff lives.
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