What to expect from LA Clippers, Dallas Mavericks Game 1

3. The long-awaited return of Montrezl Harrell

The Clippers have been without big Montrezl Harrell since he left the NBA’s bubble on July 17th to tend to a family matter. After missing all of LA’s eight seeding games, Harrell has reportedly returned to the bubble and will be eligible to play in the team’s first matchup against the Mavericks on Monday if he clears quarantine in time.

LA faired just fine without Harrell in the seeding games, finishing with a 5-3 record overall. There is no doubt the team wants him back on the court as soon as possible. Making a case to earn Sixth Man of the Year honors, Harrell provided an essential spark off LA’s bench this season, averaging 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. The 26-year-old is an energizer and brings new life every time he checks into the game.

With little to no practice time since he left the NBA’s campus environment, LA’s head coach Doc Rivers said that reintegrating Harrell might be challenging. Via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ohm Youngmisuk:

"“You know, I am going to just throw him in there, as you know, he’s earned that right,” Rivers said. “The challenge will be just how ready he is. I don’t know if I ever had a guy that hasn’t played in eight games or whatever and hasn’t had any practice and we’re just going to throw him out on the floor in a playoff game. We’re hoping that at this point.”"

Although it is a looming question if Harrell will suit up for the Clippers on Monday, it appears likely the team will have their backup big man.