Clippers C Montrezl Harrell expected to clear 7-day quarantine in time for playoffs

Slowly but surely, the Los Angeles Clippers are reassembling a team widely seen as an NBA title favorite.

Clippers big man and Sixth Man of the Year finalist Montrezl Harrell is expected to clear quarantine at Disney World and be eligible for the team’s first playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.

Harrell had previously exited the bubble on July 17, nearly two weeks before the team’s first game, and didn’t return until last Monday, a duration of 24 days that caused him to miss all eight of the Clippers’ seeding games.

Harrell’s departure was to be with his ailing grandmother, who later died according to the Los Angeles Times. His absence had been excused, meaning his quarantine could be shortened provided he kept up with daily coronavirus testing and didn’t do what teammate Lou Williams did.

In Harrell, the Clippers are receiving one half of their most potent bench scoring options, a pick-and-roll combo with Williams that has led to both players being named Sixth Man of the Year finalists in consecutive seasons. This season, Harrell has averaged a career-high 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game on 58.0 percent shooting.

While Ivica Zubac has seen the vast majority of starts at center for the Clippers, Harrell has played nearly 10 more minutes per game and has closed more games.

However, it could be a while before Harrell is up to speed given that he has spent months away from the team interrupted only by his brief time in the bubble before leaving. Head coach Doc Rivers didn’t seem optimistic he would be ready for the start of the playoffs while talking to reporters on Friday.

Game 1 against the Mavericks is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Monday.

Will Clippers finally become fully operational?

While a bench center returning — even one of Harrell’s ability — might not be considered major news in most cases, it represents a significant moment for the Clippers: The team finally has its full rotation in the bubble.

The Clippers entered this season as clear NBA title contenders thanks to the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on top of a playoff-level foundation. Their depth has only improved with the in-season additions of Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson and Joakim Noah, but the team has never seemed to have all its pieces together at the same time.

Rivers told reporters last week that the entire team has been available for practice just three times all season. As many as five members of the team’s rotation were out of the bubble at one point last month. Guards Patrick Beverley (calf) and Landry Shamet (foot) have also missed games recently with injuries.

Of course, that turbulence hasn’t stopped the Clippers from going 48-23 and capturing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. But if the team wants to fulfill its potential as a contender, having all its players available would probably be ideal in the playoffs.

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