Report: Tobias Harris returns positive COVID-19 test

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported Wednesday that Sixers forward Tobias Harris returned a positive COVID-19 test.

It’s worth noting that the league requires a vaccinated player — which Harris has relayed to media that he is — that tests positive to be out 10 days or return two negative tests while being asymptomatic.

Harris was put into the NBA’s health and safety protocol roughly 40 minutes before the team’s win over the Trail Blazers Monday. It was recently reported that he was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and was also in close contact to someone who recently tested positive for the virus.

It’s tough news that is coming at a bad time for Harris and the team. Starting with tonight’s game against Chicago, the Sixers could play a minimum of seven games without Harris if he’s out the next 10 days — and this doesn’t even factor getting himself back into game shape and the potential lingering effects of COVID-19.

Factoring in the Sixers’ schedule, the soonest Harris could return if he’s out the next 10 days would be Nov. 16 against the Utah Jazz. The Sixers will be in the midst of a tough 12-game stretch where 10 of those games will be on the road.

The Sixers are already shorthanded, as they are also without Ben Simmons, Danny Green and Grant Riller. It’s unknown at this time how serious Green’s injury is. The Sixers will now look towards Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz, Isaiah Joe, and Bball Paul to help fill in the newfound minutes in the absence of several players.

All of this being said — dealing with the COVID-19 virus is very serious, and basketball is the last thing that should be on Harris’ mind. Thankfully, he is vaccinated so there is optimism that he’ll be just fine with some rest and medical attention.

In the meantime we wish Tobias Harris a speedy recovery.