Harris doesn’t know when he’ll be able to play again

DALLAS – For the past six games, Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris has been a spectator, unable to do the things that have helped define his life.

A sprained left great toe injury – occurred in a Jan. 24 game in Houston – has left Harris in a position where he really doesn’t know when he’ll be able to play basketball again. And that’s the frustrating part of a journey which has left the Mavs’ best backcourt defender reduced to a spot on the bench in street clothes.

"I’m hanging in there,’’ Harris said after this morning’s shootaround at American Airlines Center. "I really don’t have a timetable (of a return to the court).’’

Harris went to New York on Thursday and visited the specialist who did the surgery on his left foot in the summer of 2014. Although that surgery was on a different toe, Harris just wanted to get some input form the person who was familiar with the issues that occurred on his left foot.

"I’ve got everything I needed -- he gave me some options,’’ Harris said. "We’re trying the first option, which is less aggressive than the second option.

"And if it works, great, and if not, then we’ve got to move on and try something else. I’m on a different set of medication, and hopefully I can kind of take care of the problem that I’m having.’’

The pain deriving form the toe is what’s bugging Harris the most.

"It’s more nerve in the toe than the actual bone itself, so any time I put a shoe and any time there’s pressure, I have pain and I’m unable to push off,’’ Harris said. "I’m doing some things to kind of hopefully calm that pain down, and the sooner that happens the sooner I can play.’’

Harris averages 7.4 points and 2.1 assists per game, and is a pit-bull on defense

"We miss one of our better competitors, speed and quickness, ability to attack the paint and take on defensive challenges,’’ coach Rick Carlisle said. "It’s a loss, there’s no question about that.’’

Since Harris has undergone surgery on the same foot, his concern level is through the roof.

"I have a lot (of concern), but I’m confident that I can come back,’’ Harris said. "I went (to New York) and saw the doctor that did the surgery, we’re going to try some different things and hopefully those will work out.

"I’m confident that we’re moving in the right – obviously I’m shooting today. So hopefully we’re moving in the right direction.’’

Harris won’t play in tonight’s 8:30 home game against the San Antonio Spurs, and he won’t even make the trip to Memphis, where the Mavs will play the Grizzlies on Saturday. The only other game the Mavs have before the All-Star break is at home Tuesday against the Utah Jazz.

After that, the Mavs won’t play again until a Feb. 19 contest in Orlando.

Thus, Harris agreed that it may be more prudent to just wait until the Orlando game to see if that’s the ideal time to test his toe in a game.

"But like I said, once the pain is free, there’s nothing else preventing me from really playing,’’ Harris said. "It’s very frustrating.

"I want to be out there,’’ Harris said. "It’s tough, because when I’m bare-foot I don’t have any pain, so that’s a little bit frustrated.

"But when I put shoes on, obviously I’m dealing with a whole another issue. Like is said, I just got to be patient and just keep the route that I’m on.’’

Dwain Price can be heard every Wednesday from 3-4 p.m. on dfwiradio.com

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 1:14 PM with the headline "Harris doesn’t know when he’ll be able to play again."