Montrezl Harrell, #5, LA Clippers, (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Montrezl Harrell has returned to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers haven’t looked like their usual, dominant self in the Orlando bubble, and the loss of second-unit big man Montrezl Harrell is clearly weighing heavily on Doc Rivers. L.A. will get the shot in the arm they needed desperately, as Harrell will rejoin the team at Disney World.
Harrell arrived with the team at the beginning of the restart, but he left to be with his family after the death of his grandmother. Harrell tweeted that he’s back in the bubble, which has to have Clippers fans thrilled.
Montrezl Harrell is one of the best bench players in the league.
Harrell, who was drafted in the second round by the Houston Rockets in 2015, has carved out a role on LA’s elite bench. With 18.6 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game, both of which are career-highs for the former Louisville star. Harrell’s ability to scrap for tough rebounds and destroy the rim has made him one of the Clippers’ more reliable options on offense.
Harrell’s Clippers currently have the second seed in the West, but they risk losing that spot to the Denver Nuggets if they continue to play like they did yesterday, when the severely undermanned Brooklyn Nets took them to school. Having Harrell back and motivated to win should prevent that from happening again.
No one could fault Harrell for leaving the team due to his connection with his grandmother, and it seems as if he’s healed enough to get back to basketball. Look for Harrell to rock the rim with some timely, clutch baskets in the postseason as the Clippers finally get back to full strength.