Gary Harris out for 1 month
NBA Update – Harris will be out up to four weeks with his foot injury, head coach Mike Malone told Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post.
It’s a big loss for the Nuggets, as Harris is averaging 10.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 22.8 minutes per game.
In his third season in the NBA, Harris has developed into the much-desired 3-and-D guard, i.e. a guard who defends well and also is a dangerous perimeter shooter. While Harris hasn’t shot particularly well from beyond the arc in his four games this season (30.8 percent), he shot 35.4 percent from three last season.
Harris remains a below-average playmaker and isn’t necessarily capable yet of creating his own shot. He’s much more effective as a spot-up shooter while running off screens. But his two-way status has made him a valuable contributor for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets are suddenly thin at shooting guard, as Will Barton—the presumed starter when Harris is sidelined—is also working his way back from injury. That should mean more minutes for rookie Jamal Murray, who has appeared in 10 games and made two starts, averaging 7.0 points and 1.9 assists in 20.1 minutes per game.
Mike Miller could also see an uptick in minutes at the position until Barton and Harris return to action.
Category: Basketball
