The Detroit Pistons have been without their starter Tobias Harris since December 30th when he exited the game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a hip injury.
Detroit does not have a timeline when Harris is expected to return. On January 3rd, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reported that Harris will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
So the veteran will miss an extended period of time and hopefully the injury isn’t too serious. Harris has dealt with numerous injuries this season and he was sidelined for nine games back in November due to an ankle injury.
The veteran has been a valuable piece for the Pistons this season. He’s currently third on the team in scoring averaging 13.4 points per game.
Tobias Harris, a Leader on the Court
Harris is currently in his 15th NBA season and he’s no stranger to Detroit. He’s in his second stint with the Pistons after joining the team last season.
The 33-year-old has embraced his role as a veteran and leader on the team. Last season, Harris appeared and started in 73 games and averaged 13.7 points, five rebounds, and 5.9 assists. He played a vital role in the team’s success last year. Cade Cunningham shouted Harris and the other veterans for their leadership on the court last season.
“We had a great group of vets come in,” Cunningham said in an interview with Kevin Durant. “They knew what it took to win and they had been around it. Tobias, Tim Hardaway, Malik Beasley, they all came in and made big plays and their seriousness was different from what we had.”
That veteran leadership is something the Pistons needed last season and that was a major factor that lifted their team chemistry. Harris has played for numerous teams throughout his career and has played on teams that have had a lot of success.
He understands what it takes for a team to be successful from his experience and he’s the right guy to guide young players and take them under his wing. Detroit has a nice mix of veterans and young players and so far the team has played well together.
Tobias Harris Will Be Missed on the Court
While Harris will miss some time because of his injury, that means other players will have to step up and contribute in his absence.
So far, that has not been a problem for the Pistons. The players coming off the bench have bought into the “next man up” mindset and have made significant impacts on the court while the team has been shorthanded due to injury.
For Harris, there is no rush to come back and the team wants to make sure their veteran leader is fully healthy before stepping back onto that court. As the season continues, Harris will be a key factor for Detroit as they continue their reign as the top team in the Eastern Conference.
The big question for Harris is will he be able to remain healthy throughout the season?
Pistons Uncertain When Tobias Harris Will Return From Injury