Tobias Harris ready to do more for Sixers amid James Harden injury
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers are in a tough spot at the moment as they move forward in their 2022-23 season. Sitting at 4-6 through the first 10 games of the season, they now have to deal with losing James Harden for a month due to a right foot tendon strain.
Harden is an elite playmaker and he was working his way back from a nagging hamstring injury. He was beginning to look like the player he was before the hamstring issue and, now, he has to deal with this foot injury as well.
In the wake of the Harden injury, the Sixers will need others to step up. That includes Tobias Harris who will assume more responsibility within the offense. He had 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in Friday’s loss to the New York Knicks and this is just a sign of things to come for Harris.
“I think, obviously, losing a key player for however long, it’s just going to be more distribution for anybody who’s out there anybody filling the spot,” said Harris. “For me, if the opportunity is presented for more play calls and more actions with the basketball in my hands, then I’m embracing the challenge and be ready for it.”
Harris shot 9-for-15 on the night and as Philadelphia moves forward, they should be getting him more involved. Obviously, once Joel Embiid returns, shots have to go to the big fella, but Harris should be a big part of the offense. He showed that ability on Friday even though it came in a loss.
“I think you saw some of that and I think that’s the way it’s going to be going forward,” Harris added. “So I’m excited for that and I’ve been ready for it. Tonight’s (Friday) a tough one, because I thought for the majority of the game, we did a very good job of getting that ball hopping and creating some good looks off of their help defense and just playing at a really good pace. It’s tough that we weren’t able to come out with victory.”
Harris’s performance is one that the Sixers can move forward with now as they adjust to life without Harden. They should continue to build and grow off Friday and let Harris do more with the basketball in his hands.
“I thought Tobias played great. I thought he played quick, quick decisions, went downhill a lot,” said coach Doc Rivers. “Very happy how he played overall. I really was.”
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