Tobias Harris will play in Sixers’ game vs. Cavaliers after missing shootaround with non-COVID illness

Tobias Harris was in the starting lineup for the 76ers’ Friday home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the team’s morning shootaround and being listed as questionable with a non-COVID illness.

Harris went through his pregame shooting routine before it was determined that he was healthy enough to play.

Harris entered Friday averaging 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season but has been quieter offensively since the Sixers added perennial All-Star James Harden. Harris has connected on 10 of his 28 shot attempts in three games, while averaging 10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Harris has primarily been paired with Harden in coach Doc Rivers’ staggered lineups.

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After multiple early-season health issues, Harris played in his 39th consecutive game. He missed six games early in the season with a COVID-19 case that caused significant symptoms and, he believes, lingering aftereffects. He also has been playing with shoulder tendinitis for most of the season.

After signing with the Sixers Thursday night, 33-year-old center DeAndre Jordan is expected to join the team in Miami for Saturday’s game against the Heat.

Without Jordan available Friday, Paul Millsap, Paul Reed and Charles Bassey remain the Sixers’ backup center options against a Cavaliers team with a formidable frontcourt featuring All-Star Jarrett Allen, Rookie of the Year frontrunner Evan Mobley and Lauri Markkanen (who did not play in the first matchup between these teams).

The 37-year-old Millsap has held that role the past four games with mediocre-at-best results, averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.2 minutes. Reed was in that spot for two games before Millsap arrived from the Harden trade that also sent former backup center Andre Drummond, Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and two first-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets. Bassey, a rookie, was recalled from the G League’s Delaware Blue Coats on Thursday.

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Jordan averaged 4.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 12.8 minutes in 32 games (19 starts) this season with the Los Angeles Lakers before being waived earlier this week.

“I hope that he can recapture the ‘Lob City’ days,” said Rivers, a reference to coaching Jordan with the high-flying Los Angeles Clippers about a decade ago. “That would be fantastic for us. But we just needed size. Getting him should be good for us. ...

“Honestly, I don’t know what DJ’s gonna bring us,” Rivers said. “He hasn’t played a lot over the last couple years. But I know he’s big. You’re either 7 feet tall or you’re not, and he is.”

Jordan led the led the NBA in field-goal percentage five consecutive seasons from 2012-17, ranked first in the league in rebounding two consecutive seasons from 2013-15, and was an All-Star in 2016-17. But his production has steadily dropped off in recent seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Lakers.

Rivers also hopes Jordan’s presence can positively influence Bassey, who also has size, athleticism and shot-blocking potential.

“You can actually watch tape of [Jordan] and show Charles, ‘This is who you can be, with better offense,’” Rivers said. “ ... Guys like that are very helpful for your young players.”