Montrezl Harrell returns to NBA bubble after weeks away, Clippers finally nearing full strength
Montrezl Harrell is finally back inside the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World.
The Los Angeles Clippers forward tweeted early on Monday morning announcing his return to the bubble in Florida after spending more than three weeks away. He also posted a photo to his Instagram story late on Sunday night from his hotel room.
I’m back!!!!!!!!
— Montrezl Harrell (@MONSTATREZZ) August 10, 2020
Harrell left the team on July 17 to travel home and be with his family and his sick grandmother, who died late last month.
“You can’t play if you’re not right mentally and because of the emotional part of it,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said earlier this month, via the Los Angeles Times. “His grandmother is very tight with him so all I told him is I love him and take your time. We’ll be ready with open arms when you come.”
Harrell returns in time for playoff run
Harrell will have to quarantine for at least four days before he can rejoin the Clippers, something Rivers said Sunday he hopes can happen by their final seeing game on Friday.
The 26-year-old was averaging 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds, both career highs, when play was suspended in March. His return will mean the Clippers will finally be at full strength for the first time since play resumed. The team is currently in second place in the Western Conference standings and have both the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder left in their final seeding games. Assuming they hold on to the No. 2 seed — they are 4.5 games back of the Lakers in the top spot — the Clippers will likely land the Dallas Mavericks for their opening playoff series next week.
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