National Basketball Association

100% on Opening Day is Main Goal for Devin Harris

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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As Devin Harris continues to rehab back from his offseason of surgeries, he talked at practice on Tuesday about when to expect him on the court.

After dealing with a late season injury to his toe and a thumb injury, Devin Harris took this summer to have both of the issues surgically repaired. As a result, Harris was unable to train at full speed over the summer and is spending the first part of training camp to get back to 100%.

Harris was limited at the beginning of training camp but has since began contact drills over the past week. After sitting out the open scrimmage and both preseason games so far, Harris answered questions at practice on Tuesday on when he expects to hit the court.

“This week is big. If not Saturday, then Tuesday”

Dallas has a long break in between games as their next game is Saturday (October 8th) against the Milwaukee Bucks. Harris is obviously using this week as a measuring stick as he shoots to make his debut on Saturday, if not, then Tuesday.

With Harris being from Wisconsin, having the opportunity to play in front of his home crowd would be something he would love to do. But his main focus is much bigger than playing this Saturday.

“Do I want to yes [play Saturday in Wisconsin]. But I have to keep the main goal of getting 100% opening day.”

Harris’ main goal is to be fully healthy by opening night when the Mavericks face off against the Pacers in Indianapolis later this month. Some players might push their recovery timeline to play in a game like Saturday, but Harris is a savvy veteran that knows his place in the league.

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When Harris was asked about how close he was to returning and what the pain looks like on the court, he briefly mentioned how it’s not on the court, but rather the recovery that is causing problems.

“On the court I feel good, it’s just how I respond. Especially after a hard practice like today”

It will be important for Harris to get back to his normal ways before the season as the backcourt in Dallas is suddenly crowded with Seth Curry and possibly Jonathan Gibson. Harris will have to prove to the coaching staff that he is worthy of his normal minutes once healthy.

Check out the Mavs game in Madison, WI on Saturday before they head back to face the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on Tuesday.

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