NEW YORK - Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris will have season-ending surgery on his left ankle, the team announced Thursday night ahead of their 113-107 loss to the Miami Heat.
Harris had initial surgery on his ankle on November 29 and was expected to be out for only four to eight weeks, but his ankle never healed to the point where he could be back on the floor and feeling comfortable. Can you
"While Joe has worked diligently over the past several months to rehabilitate his ankle and eliminate every opportunity possible to get back on the court with his teammates, it has been determined that in the coming weeks he will receive an additional Arthroscopic surgery will be required," Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. "While it is expected that Joe will make a full recovery after the procedure, unfortunately his result will be missed out on the rest of the regular season and the playoffs.
“We know how disappointed Joe is to miss out on this stretch run, but he is a huge part of who we are as an organization and while he continues to contribute on the court, his presence and the positivity around the team continues. Will be there. Everyone should be felt."
Harris tried to go through different rehab assignments over the past few weeks to get back on the floor, but Nets coach Steve Nash repeatedly stated that he was never able to progress to the point where he could not get back on the floor. Were able to join the nets at practices.
"He's just the quintessential teammate," Marx said in an interview with Yes Network before the game. "He's what defines the Brooklyn Nets... We feel terrible for Joe and we all know how much he means to this group."
News of Harris comes on Night Star forward Kevin Durant is back on the floor after missing a month and a half due to a sprain in his left knee. Marks also said during the interview that new swingman Ben Simmons is still out with a back problem. Simmons' return to the floor remains unclear. He hasn't played since last May after requesting a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers over the summer.
"Unfortunately, the tightness of his back delayed his ability to get on the court with his teammates," Marks said. “So he has been doing this last type of week in rehab for 10 days, and now he will progress throughout this week with some individual tasks; hopefully by the end of next week, he is getting more into the team environment. And then we can really ramp up and start that sort of game size and so forth.
“While there is no real timetable, we will have to take it day by day and see how he responds. And hopefully the sooner the better; we need to bring this group together and bring the minutes on the court together.” Need to bring along."