Tobias Harris to miss Sixers’ game at Utah Jazz with left knee soreness; Georges Niang available

SALT LAKE CITY — Tobias Harris will miss the 76ers’ game at the Utah Jazz Saturday night with left knee soreness, while reserve forward Georges Niang is available to play after missing shootaround with a non-COVID illness.

De’Anthony Melton will move into the starting lineup in place of Harris, alongside James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, P.J. Tucker, and Joel Embiid.

Harris sustained the injury while knocking knees during Thursday’s home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Coach Doc Rivers said before the game that he does not believe the injury is serious.

“It scared the hell out of me, I can tell you that,” Rivers said. “When he went down, I honestly didn’t think anything good, because he was grabbing his knee in that spot. But it was just a knee-on-knee, so he’ll be fine.”

» READ MORE: Sixers midseason superlatives include breakout player, biggest disappointment

Harris is in the midst of an efficient season for the Sixers, averaging 16.3 points on 49.5% shooting along with 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 38 games.

Niang is one of the Sixers’ top reserves, averaging a career-high 9.4 points per game on 41.6% shooting from three-point distance. Saturday’s game is also a homecoming for Niang, who played for the Jazz from 2017-21.

The Jazz are even more shorthanded against the Sixers, missing potential All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen (left hip bruise), guard Collin Sexton (right hamstring injury management), big man Kelly Olynyk (left ankle sprain), and forward Rudy Gay (lower back spasm). Saturday is the second night of a back-to-back for the Jazz.

Following Saturday’s game in Utah, the Sixers play at the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night. Their five-game road trip continues Tuesday at the Los Angeles Clippers, Thursday at the Portland Trail Blazers, and next Saturday at the Sacramento Kings.