:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62804626/usa_today_11310579.0.jpg)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Moe Harkless has struggled through the early part of the 2018-19 NBA season. Recovering from knee surgery, he’s been in and out of the starting lineup with vacillating floor time. In Portland’s game versus the New York Knicks tonight, he started but played only 9 minutes. According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, Harkless left the post-game locker room without speaking to reporters.
Maurice Harkless left the locker room declining to speak with reporters. I guess there’s nothing to say: Same knee. Same injury. The larger issue — it’s been 9 months since he had surgery on the knee and it still bothers him.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) January 8, 2019
Though Harkless remained silent, teammates and coaches spoke up on his behalf.
Terry Stotts says team has yet to determine a plan of action for Harkless. He sat out second half with sore left knee after missing last game with same ailment. Sat 12 games earlier this season because of same knee.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) January 8, 2019
Damian Lillard on Maurice Harkless battling knee problems: "You hate to see him dealing with a nagging injury, but as a teammate you respect him for fighting through it ... but also as his friend and his teammate, you want to see him do what's best for him.''
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) January 8, 2019
Excluding tonight, Harkless has averaged 6.1 points on 44.9% shooting in 25 appearances this season.
If more develops post-game, we’ll update this article as needed.